Three dimensional spatial user interface

• US 7,013,435 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vizible Corporation (Open Text Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vizible.com Incorporated
• Inventors: Dembo, Ron, Gallo, Anthony Carmen, Gallagher, Peter James, Talbot, Jimmy Daniel, Graham, Colin Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/809,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20010028369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,824 Days
• Field of Search: 345/848, 345850-852, 345/849, 345/782, 345/805, 345/836, 345/649, 345/650, 345/652, 345/651, 345653-655, 715/782, 715848-852, 715/964, 715853-854, 715821-823, 715817-820, 715/847, 715/860, 715/861, 715/828, 715778-779, 715740-741, 715769-770, 715/805, 715/804, 715/968
• US Class Current: 715/850
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04802 3D-info-object: information is displayed on the internal or external surface of a three dimensional manipulable object, e.g. on the faces of a cube that can be rotated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object

Abstract

A method and system of providing a three dimensional spatial user interface (SUI) to a user of a computing device. The SUI may be manipulated in three dimensions and contains a plurality of portals. A portal may contain a sensory cue that provides a reminder as to the content of the portal. Upon selection of a portal, an application program associated with the cue in the portal is invoked. Portals may also contain further instances of the SUI of the present invention, thus providing hierarchical depth. In the preferred embodiment, the SUI is implemented as a sphere and may be viewed from an external or internal perspective.

Claims

1. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises user input means permitting said user to rotate said interface about a plurality of axes, and at least one of a rotational constraint means and a control means for controlling the rotation of said interface.

2. The interface of claim 1, said rotational constraint means for preventing said interface from rotating to an upside-down position.

3. The interface of claim 1, said rotational constraint means for preventing said interface from rotating about at least one first axis while permitting rotation of the interface about at least one second axis.

4. The interface of claim 1, said rotational constraint means for preventing said interface from rotating at a rate greater than a pre-determined maximum rotation rate.

5. The interface of claim 1, said rotational constraint means for reversing the current direction of rotation of said interface when said interface is rotating.

6. The interface of claim 1, said control means for controlling the speed of rotation of said interface, wherein the speed of rotation of said interface depends on the position of a cursor relative to an edge of said interface.

7. The interface of claim 1, said control means for controlling the direction of rotation of said interface, wherein the direction of rotation of said interface depends on the position of a cursor relative to a point on said interface.

8. The interface of claim 7 wherein said point is located at the centre of said interface.

9. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface is projected onto a two-dimensional display.

10. A computer device for displaying a three dimensional user interface, said device comprising means for displaying the interface as claimed in claim 9.

11. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means for selecting a portal to be made active from said plurality of portals, wherein the portal to be selected is closest to a pre-determined reference point.

12. The interface of claim 11 wherein said selected portal is positioned proximate the middle of a screen and substantially upright.

13. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means for recording a plurality of interactions and subsequently executing said recorded interactions on said interface.

14. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said graphic representation is in the form of a sphere, wherein said sphere includes polar caps, and wherein said polar caps are used to view a subset of data represented in said interface.

15. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means for navigating the interface using a text-based index, wherein elements of said index are associated with said plurality of portals.

16. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means for transmitting data to and receiving data from at least one other remotely-located interface through a network connection.

17. The interface of claim 16 wherein said interface is used to control the operation of said at least one remotely-located interface.

18. The interface of claim 16 wherein the operation of said interface is controlled by said at least one remotely-located interface.

19. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means for importing data into said interface from a data source, said data being represented in said data source in a hierarchical format.

20. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means for enabling objects to be moved between portals of said interface.

21. The interface of claim 20 wherein objects can be dragged from one of said plurality of portals to another of said plurality of portals.

22. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means for enabling objects to be dragged from an application to one of said plurality of portals.

23. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cue, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said interface is displayed in a window having substantially the same shape as a cross-section of said interface.

24. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises update means for updating content in at least one remotely-located portal when content in a portal of said interface is changed.

25. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises update means for updating content in at least one remote interfaces when content in said interface is changed.

26. A user interface for a computing device, said interface comprising:

a) a plurality of portals containing content, wherein said plurality of portals are arranged in a three dimensional graphical representation for display to a user, and wherein for each of said plurality of portals, an application that permits user interaction with the content contained therein is associated therewith; and

b) a plurality of sensory cues, wherein for each of said plurality of portals, a sensory cue is displayed therein that provides a cue to the content contained therein;

wherein said user interface is adapted to change, based on the content contained in one or more portals of the user interface, one or more geometric properties thereof dynamically, so that the graphical representation displayed to said user is changed, and said changes comprise changes to at least one of the shape of the user interface, the shape of one or more portals of the user interface, and the arrangement of portals of the user interface;

and wherein said user interface further comprises means to search for a web page contained in one of said plurality of portals corresponding to a user-designated web address, and to display said web page to said user.