Automatically designed three-dimensional graphical environments for information discovery and visualization
First Claim
1. A method for browsing a plurality of data objects displayed within a three-dimensional graphical environment comprising:
- providing a plurality of selectable data object arrangement schemes;
grouping corresponding images representing the data objects within the environment dependent on a selected one of the schemes;
wherein grouping representative images further comprising partitioning the three-dimensional graphical environment into three-dimensional bounded areas in a single plane and displaying related groups of representative images within the areas, wherein representative images are related dependent on the selected scheme; and
determining a size of each area dependent on a number of representative images within each group.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for browsing a plurality of data objects represented by images displayed within a three-dimensional graphical environment is described. A plurality of data object arrangement schemes are provided for arranging corresponding represented images of the data objects within the three-dimensional environment dependent on a selected one of the schemes. The data objects are then automatically arranged within the three-dimensional environment according to the selected schemes. Schemes can be user selected such that by selecting a new scheme, the objects are rearranged according to the newly selected scheme. The environment is partitioned into three-dimensional areas and representative images of the data objects are arranged within the partitioned environment such that representative images of related groups of data objects with respect to the selected scheme are displayed within the same areas.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for browsing a plurality of data objects displayed within a three-dimensional graphical environment comprising:
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providing a plurality of selectable data object arrangement schemes; grouping corresponding images representing the data objects within the environment dependent on a selected one of the schemes; wherein grouping representative images further comprising partitioning the three-dimensional graphical environment into three-dimensional bounded areas in a single plane and displaying related groups of representative images within the areas, wherein representative images are related dependent on the selected scheme; and determining a size of each area dependent on a number of representative images within each group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for browsing a plurality of data objects displayed within a three-dimensional graphical environment comprising:
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a plurality of selectable data object arrangement schemes; a three-dimensional graphics processing unit for generating three-dimensional image data corresponding to the environment and images representing the data objects such that the representative images are grouped within the displayed environment dependent on a selected one of the schemes, wherein the graphics processing unit includes a layout processor for generating partition information utilized for causing the displayed environment to be partitioned into three-dimensional bounded areas in a single plane dependent on related groups of representative images and for causing the related groups of representative images to be displayed within the areas, wherein the layout processor determines a size of the areas dependent on a number of data objects within each group. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method for browsing a plurality of data objects displayed within a three-dimensional graphical environment comprising:
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selecting one of a plurality of selectable data object arrangements schemes; grouping data objects according to the selected scheme; partitioning the environment into a plurality of areas dependent on a number of objects per grouping; and rendering the three-dimensional environment including images representing the data objects grouped within each area dependent on the selected scheme. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification