Spatial browsing approach to multimedia information retrieval

• US 6,281,898 B1
• Filed: 05/16/1997
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Martino, Jacquelyn Annette, Nikolovska, Lira
• Primary Examiner(s): dela Torre, Crescelle N.
• Application Number:
  US08/858,603
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 345/355, 345/356, 345/357, 345/327, 345/339, 345/352, 345/353, 345/146, 345/328, 345/349, 345/976, 345/419, 345/427, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/569, 348/906
• US Class Current: 715/848
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2425 Iterative querying; Query formulation based on the results of a preceding query
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/283 Multi-dimensional databases or data warehouses, e.g. MOLAP or ROLAP
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

A three dimensional user interface allows browsing of a database displayed as a three dimensional information space. The data is organized along three axes. A current plane or layer of data is summarized on an information landscape, with different planes being selectable using a tower that is located at the intersection of the three axes. A control wall with incorporated tools is used to formulate database queries. A preview wall previews selected data. The preview wall also provides transition between previewing the searches in the 3D space and actual viewing of the programming in full screen 2D display. Application to TV programming data is shown.

Claims

1. A graphical user interface embodied in a screen display of information of an information space, the screen display comprising first, second, and third displayed axes for visually organizing an information space, said axes providing spatial organization information that identifies characteristics of information represented within the information space, said characteristics corresponding to axis locations indicated by the spatial organization information comprising:

an apparent tower within the information space, the tower being the first axis and displaying classification information classifying database information into successive levels, each of the successive levels being selectable by selection of a vertical position on the apparent tower.

2. A graphical user interface embodied in a screen display of an information space, the screen display comprising first, second, and third axes for visually organizing an information space, the interface comprising an apparent tower within the information space, the tower being the first axis and having classification information classifying database information into successive levels, each of the successive levels being selectable by selection of a vertical position on the apparent tower, the interface being adapted for accessing television programming information, wherein the tower allows selection of a calendar date.

3. A graphical user interface embodied in a screen display of an information space, the screen display comprising first, second, and third axes for visually organizing an information space, the interface further comprising an apparent control wall, the apparent control wall having at least one column, each column corresponding to a database category, at least one data base category being selectable by selecting an entry within the at least one column, the interface being adapted for accessing television programming information, wherein the apparent control wall has at least two columns, a first column for specifying a television program type and a second column for specifying a time of day.

4. The interface of claim 3 wherein the control wall contains a selectable option for locking program selection to programs of a specified type.

5. The interface of claim 3 further comprising at least one selector for entries within a respective one of the at least one column, the selector having an apparently rotatable orientation, which orientation changes to follow a user'"'"'s cone of vision as a user travels about in the information space.

6. The interface of claim 3 wherein the control wall has a base which appears to join an information landscape within the interface, so that the control wall and the information landscape together resemble a wall and a floor of a room.

7. A graphical user interface embodied in a screen display of an information space, the screen display comprising first, second, and third axes for visually organizing an information space, the interface further comprising an information landscape wherein selectable categories of information are indicated by an appearance of information items, the interface being adapted for accessing television program information, wherein the information landscape is in the form of a table having the first axis for specifying television channels and the second axis for specifying times of day.

8. A graphical user interface embodied in a screen display of an information space, the screen display comprising first, second, and third axes for visually organizing an information space, the interface further comprising an information landscape wherein selectable categories of information are indicated by an appearance of information items, the interface further comprising a wall creation selection space bordering the information landscape, which wall creation selection space allows selection for appearance of a control wall and/or a preview wall.

9. The interface of claim 8 further comprising means for specifying omission of at least one category of information from the information landscape.

10. The interface of claim 8 wherein the wall creation selection space has a base which appears to join the information landscape within the interface, so that the control wall and information landscape together resemble a wall and a floor of a room.

11. A graphical user interface embodied in a screen display of an information space, the screen display comprising first, second, and third axes for visually organizing an information space, the interface further comprising a preview wall for previewing database information prior to selecting such database information, the interface being adapted for accessing television information wherein the preview wall allows previewing of programming portions and/or viewing of complete programming.

12. A user interface for browsing an information space comprising:

query tools;

a generalized information depiction;

a detailed information preview tool;

which query tools, generalized information depiction and detailed information preview tool are all present on a user screen at one time, wherein the information space stores television programminng.

13. The interface of claim 12 wherein the query tools comprise options for selecting categories and/or times of programs.

14. The interface of claim 12 wherein the generalized information depiction comprises an information landscape in which individual programs appear as shapes.

15. The interface of claim 12 wherein the preview tool allows display of at least a portion of an actual television program.

16. A user interface for querying a database of television programming the user interface comprising:

a first apparent plane displaying television programming information in a table organized according to channel and time of day; and

a second apparent plane apparently oriented at an angle with respect to the first apparent plane, so that the first and second apparent planes together give an impression of perspective, the second apparent plane including query tools for selecting categories of television programming information.

17. The interface of claim 16 wherein the query tools allow specification of time and day.

18. The interface of claim 16 wherein the query tools allow specification of category of programming.