Method of graphically presenting network information
First Claim
1. A method of graphically presenting information regarding a computer network'"'"'s categories and sites by forming a visual level model in conjunction with a network browser, comprising the steps of:
- establishing a visual screen comprised of a first map level containing a plurality of main category areas, each main category area being defined by a line border, wherein each main category represents a general topic, and further comprising;
placing a text within each main category area, said text showing the general topic of the specific main category;
placing each site on said computer network within a category according to one or more general topics;
representing each site as a pixel;
placing each site'"'"'s pixel on the screen within one or more main categories;
arranging a plurality of site pixels within a main category according to the similarity in site contents, wherein the distance between two individual sites is established by their degree of similarity;
providing means for accessing a site through action on said pixel;
establishing a visual screen comprised of a second map level reached by activating a zooming means on a specific first map level main category, said second map level containing a plurality of main category subcategories, each said subcategory defined by a line border, wherein each subcategory represents a subtopic of the specific main category general topic, and further comprising;
placing a text within each subcategory area, said text identifying the subtopic of the said subcategory;
categorizing each site on said computer network according to one or more said subtopics;
representing each site as a pixel;
placing each site'"'"'s pixel on the screen within the areas of the subcategory according to subtopic;
arranging a plurality of site pixels within a subcategory according to the similarity in site contents, wherein the distance between two individual sites is established by their degree of similarity;
providing means for accessing a site through action on said pixel;
establishing a visual screen comprised of a third map level reached by activating a zooming means on a specific second map level subcategory, said third map level containing a plurality of subcategory subcategories, each said subcategory defined by a line border, wherein each subcategory represents a subtopic of the specific second map level subcategory, and further comprising;
placing a text within each subcategory area, said text showing identifying the subtopic of the specific subcategory;
categorizing each site on said computer network according to one or more said subcategories;
representing each site as a pixel;
placing each site'"'"'s pixels on the screen within the areas of the subcategory according to subtopic;
arranging a plurality of site pixels within a subcategory according to the similarity in site contents, wherein the distance between two individual sites is established by their degree of similarity;
providing means for accessing a site through action on said pixel;
repeating the steps for establishing the third map level until there are no subcategories left and a final map is a presentation of a plurality of sites.
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Abstract
A graphical gateway to a computer network. The invention method presents network information, i.e., main portals, categories, sub-categories, site search results, site ratings, etc., in a visual way. The method of the present invention presents site locations, according to categories, as a graphical state map. The same map may be topographical symbolizing a rating interest of each site. A network user can quickly locate a desired site through a visual search. Entry into the site may then be made by the user. The map of the invention method provides a user with added information regarding the network, including a site'"'"'s general content, a site'"'"'s services, surfing help, etc., all presented in a visual way with the help of map features.
115 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of graphically presenting information regarding a computer network'"'"'s categories and sites by forming a visual level model in conjunction with a network browser, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a visual screen comprised of a first map level containing a plurality of main category areas, each main category area being defined by a line border, wherein each main category represents a general topic, and further comprising;
placing a text within each main category area, said text showing the general topic of the specific main category;
placing each site on said computer network within a category according to one or more general topics;
representing each site as a pixel;
placing each site'"'"'s pixel on the screen within one or more main categories;
arranging a plurality of site pixels within a main category according to the similarity in site contents, wherein the distance between two individual sites is established by their degree of similarity;
providing means for accessing a site through action on said pixel;
establishing a visual screen comprised of a second map level reached by activating a zooming means on a specific first map level main category, said second map level containing a plurality of main category subcategories, each said subcategory defined by a line border, wherein each subcategory represents a subtopic of the specific main category general topic, and further comprising;
placing a text within each subcategory area, said text identifying the subtopic of the said subcategory;
categorizing each site on said computer network according to one or more said subtopics;
representing each site as a pixel;
placing each site'"'"'s pixel on the screen within the areas of the subcategory according to subtopic;
arranging a plurality of site pixels within a subcategory according to the similarity in site contents, wherein the distance between two individual sites is established by their degree of similarity;
providing means for accessing a site through action on said pixel;
establishing a visual screen comprised of a third map level reached by activating a zooming means on a specific second map level subcategory, said third map level containing a plurality of subcategory subcategories, each said subcategory defined by a line border, wherein each subcategory represents a subtopic of the specific second map level subcategory, and further comprising;
placing a text within each subcategory area, said text showing identifying the subtopic of the specific subcategory;
categorizing each site on said computer network according to one or more said subcategories;
representing each site as a pixel;
placing each site'"'"'s pixels on the screen within the areas of the subcategory according to subtopic;
arranging a plurality of site pixels within a subcategory according to the similarity in site contents, wherein the distance between two individual sites is established by their degree of similarity;
providing means for accessing a site through action on said pixel;
repeating the steps for establishing the third map level until there are no subcategories left and a final map is a presentation of a plurality of sites. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification