Method of generating a 3-D representation of a hierarchical data structure
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a hierarchical data structure for display on a display unit, the hierarchical data structure comprising a plurality of nodes arranged in a plurality of levels, each node representing a data item, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating the hierarchical data structure;
assigning each node a pair of X and Y axis coordinates in a two-dimensional grid having X and Y axis which are perpendicular, so that nodes on a common level each have a common Y axis coordinate to define a Y line;
defining a Z axis with a predetermined angle relative to the X axis;
for each level, defining a Z line which is parallel to the Z axis;
for each level, mapping each node location on the respective Y line to a corresponding location on the respective Z line so as to recalculate at least the Y coordinate of each node;
displaying a node representation of each node at a respective first point defined at the respective X coordinate and the recalculated Y coordinates on the display unit; and
displaying a respective connector representation between each parent and child node representation on the display unit so as to generate the three-dimensional representation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a hierarchical data structure is disclosed. By taking advantage of a compact three-dimensional representation, the present invention provides an overview of an entire hierarchy of files so as to facilitate use orientation within the hierarchical data structure. The method commences with the generation of a hierarchical data structure, which is then mapped onto a two-dimensional grid by assigning each node in the hierarchical data structure X and Y axis coordinates. A Z axis, which may be at an angle of 30° relative to an X axis, is then defined. Within each level within the hierarchical data structure, a Z line is then defined as being parallel to the Z axis and as intersecting the level. Thereafter, for each level, each node is mapped from a location on a Y line to a corresponding location on the defined Z line, so that at least the Y coordinate for each node is recalculated. A node representation for each node is then displayed at a first point defined by the respective X coordinate and the recalculated Y coordinate on a display unit. A connector representation is then displayed between each parent and child node on the display unit.
68 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a hierarchical data structure for display on a display unit, the hierarchical data structure comprising a plurality of nodes arranged in a plurality of levels, each node representing a data item, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating the hierarchical data structure; assigning each node a pair of X and Y axis coordinates in a two-dimensional grid having X and Y axis which are perpendicular, so that nodes on a common level each have a common Y axis coordinate to define a Y line; defining a Z axis with a predetermined angle relative to the X axis; for each level, defining a Z line which is parallel to the Z axis; for each level, mapping each node location on the respective Y line to a corresponding location on the respective Z line so as to recalculate at least the Y coordinate of each node; displaying a node representation of each node at a respective first point defined at the respective X coordinate and the recalculated Y coordinates on the display unit; and displaying a respective connector representation between each parent and child node representation on the display unit so as to generate the three-dimensional representation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
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generating a hierarchical data structure, the hierarchical data structure comprising a plurality of nodes, each of which represents a data item; assigning each node a pair of X and Y axis coordinates in a two-dimensional grid having X and Y axis which are perpendicular, so that nodes on a common level each have a common X axis coordinate to define a Y line; defining a Z axis with a predetermined angle relative to the X axis; for each level, defining a Z line which is parallel to the Z axis; for each level, mapping each node location on the respective Y line to a corresponding location on the respective Z line so as to recalculate at least the Y coordinate of each node; displaying a node representation of each node at a respective first point defined at the X coordinate and the recalculated Y coordinate on a display unit; and displaying a respective connector representation between each parent and child node representation on the display unit.
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15. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
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generating a hierarchical data structure, the hierarchical data structure comprising a plurality of nodes, each of which represents a data item; assigning each node a pair of X and Y axis coordinates in a two-dimensional grid having X and Y axis which are perpendicular, so that nodes on a common level each have a common X axis coordinate to define a Y line; defining a Z axis with a predetermined angle relative to the X axis; for each level, defining a Z line which is parallel to the Z axis; for each level, mapping each node location on the respective Y line to a corresponding location on the respective Z line so as to recalculate at least the Y coordinate of each node; displaying a node representation of each node at a respective first point defined at the X coordinate and the recalculated Y coordinate on a display unit; and displaying a respective connector representation between each parent and child node representation on the display unit.
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Specification