Methods and systems for interactive classification of objects

• US 20030179236A1
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Brawer, Alexander B., Stefik, Mark J., Good, Lance E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,370,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/353 into predefined classes

Abstract

Methods and systems provide a computational assistance for interactive classification that compensates for the small size of computer screens and accelerates classification tasks. Similarity indicators reduce manual search by enabling information objects to “call out” automatically to encourage a sensemaker to place related items nearby. Similarity terms signal which groups or objects match and why they match. Using these techniques, an interactive classification tool can focus a sensemaker'"'"'s attention, move things into view automatically, and provide shortcuts for automatic classification. These techniques speed up classification for rule-based classification, example-based classification, and mixed strategies and have the potential for application in a wide variety of sensemaking tools.

Claims

1. A method for interactive classification of objects, comprising:

receiving an instruction to place a new object in a workspace;

determining a similarity of the new object to at least one of an existing object, a cluster, and a category; and

providing a visual indication of at least one similar element existing in both the new object and the at least one existing object, cluster, and category.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the visual indication of the at least one similar element further indicates a degree to which the new objects and the at least one existing object, cluster, and category are similar.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a degree of similarity of the new object to the at least one existing object, cluster and category; and

determining a threshold degree of similarity;

wherein providing the visual indication is only for existing objects, clusters or categories having a degree of similarity above the threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the similarity of the new object is determined by a similarity metric.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising transiently displaying the similarity metric.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the similarity comprises computing a weight using a term frequency times inverse document frequency computation.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an indication of a possible place for placement of the new object.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a user with a shortcut operation for classifying the object.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one of a cluster and a group of objects.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a view of a workspace that includes the at least one of an object or a cluster having the similarity.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the view includes at least one of scrolling, panning, and zooming.

12. An interactive classification system, comprising:

a new object detection circuit that receives an instruction to place a new object in a workspace;

a similarity determination circuit that determines a similarity of the new object to at least one of an existing object, cluster, and category; and

a similarity representation circuit that provides a visual indication of at least one similar element existing in both the new object and the at least one existing object, cluster, and category.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the visual indication of the at least one similar element further indicates a degree to which the new objects and the at least one existing object, cluster, and category are similar.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the similarity determination circuit determines a degree of similarity and a threshold degree of similarity, and wherein the visual indication is provided only for existing objects having the degree of similarity above the threshold.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the similarity determination circuit determines a similarity metric, and the similarity of the new object is determined by the similarity metric.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the similarity representation circuit transiently displays the similarity metric.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the similarity determination circuit determines the similarity by computing a weight using a term frequency times inverse document frequency computation.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising a placement assisting circuit that provides an indication of a possible place for placement of the new object.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising a placement assisting circuit that provides a user with a shortcut operation that instructs to classify the object.

20. The system of claim 12, further comprising a cluster determining circuit that determines at least one of a cluster and a group of objects.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein a visual effect circuit provides a view of a workspace that includes the at least one object or cluster having the similarity.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the view of the workspace is provided by at least one of scrolling, panning, and zooming.