Automatic 3D object generation and deformation for representation of data files based on taxonomy classification

• US 8,010,907 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hulu LLC (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sundararajan, Sharad C., Sullivan, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pesin; Boris
• Assistant Examiner(s): Song; Daeho D
• Application Number:
  US12/138,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 715/836, 715/757, 715/711, 345/419, 345/661, 345/664
• US Class Current: 715/836
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/16 File or folder operations, e.g. details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/168 Details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems, e.g. browsing and visualisation, 2d or 3d GUIs query results presentation G06F16/156

Abstract

Disclosed are a system and method for generating three-dimensional objects to represent files in a three-dimensional environment. A primary classifier classifies stored files into groups based on a first set of properties and generates three-dimensional mesh objects to represent each file. The mesh objects are the same within each group and distinguish the files from group to group. A secondary classifier further classifies each group of files into sub-groups based on a second set of properties and deforms the mesh objects in each sub-group in a particular manner to distinguish files from sub-group to sub-group. Additional classifiers modify the deformed mesh objects to further distinguish files within each sub-group (e.g., by varying the shape, texture, animation, etc.). Each three-dimensional object can then be embedded into a three-dimensional graphical user interface as a selection tool that provides visual cues regarding the contents of a particular file.

Claims

1. A system for automatically generating and displaying three-dimensional objects in a three-dimensional environment of a graphical user interface, said system comprising:

a memory,

said memory storing a taxonomy table setting out at least primary classifications based on a first set of properties and secondary classifications within said primary classifications and based on a second set of properties, said taxonomy table further setting out shapes of three-dimensional objects to represent each primary classification and how each of said three-dimensional objects will be deformed to represent each secondary classification, said taxonomy table being one of a pre-programmed taxonomy table and a custom-designed taxonomy table,

said memory further storing an electronic file having a plurality of properties;

at least one processor in communication with said memory and comprising;

a primary classifier generating a particular three-dimensional object to be used as a selection tool for said file, said generating being performed based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table; and

a secondary classifier in communication with said primary classifier and deforming said particular three-dimensional object in a particular manner, said deforming being performed based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table; and

a graphical user interface comprising a display displaying said particular three-dimensional object, as generated by said primary classifier and deformed by said secondary classifier, such that said particular three-dimensional object is embedded in said three-dimensional environment of said graphical user interface as said selection tool for said file so as to provide a user with visual cues regarding said file prior to selection.

2. The system of claim 1, said graphical user interface is further configuring said particular three-dimensional object as said selection tool for said file.

3. The system of claim 1, said particular three-dimensional object comprising a three-dimensional mesh polygon.

4. The system of claim 3, said three-dimensional mesh polygon comprising a plurality of nodes that allow said three-dimensional mesh polygon to be animated.

5. The system of claim 1,

said taxonomy table further setting out tertiary classifications within said secondary classifications and specifying how each of said three-dimensional objects will be modified to represent each tertiary classification, and

said at least one processor further comprising a tertiary classifier in communication with said secondary classifier and modifying said particular three-dimensional object based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table.

6. The system of claim 5,

said taxonomy table further setting out quarternary classifications within said tertiary classifications and specifying how each of said three-dimensional objects will be further modified to represent each quarternary classification, and

said at least one processor further comprising a quarternary classifier in communication with said tertiary classifier and further modifying said particular three-dimensional object based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table.

7. The system of claim 1, said plurality of properties comprising at least one of a file name, a subject, a file type, a file size, a date of creation, a location, a last accessed date, an author and a last modified date.

20. The system of claim 5, said plurality of properties comprising at least one of a file name, a subject, a file type, a file size, a date of creation, a location, a last accessed date, an author and a last modified date.

8. A system for automatically generating and displaying three-dimensional objects in a three-dimensional environment of a graphical user interface, said system comprising:

a memory,

said memory storing a taxonomy table setting out at least primary classifications based on a first set of properties and secondary classifications within said primary classifications and based on a second set of properties, said taxonomy table further setting out shapes of three-dimensional objects to represent each primary classification and how each of said three-dimensional objects will be deformed to represent each secondary classification, said taxonomy table being one of a pre-programmed taxonomy table and a custom-designed taxonomy table, and

said memory further storing a data file containing data having a subject and a plurality of additional properties;

at least one processor in communication with said memory and comprising;

a primary classifier generating a particular three-dimensional object to represent to be used as a selection tool for said data file, said generating being performed based on said subject and using said taxonomy table; and

a secondary classifier in communication with said primary classifier and deforming said particular three-dimensional object in a particular manner, said deforming being performed based on said additional properties and using said taxonomy table; and

a graphical user to comprising a display displaying said particular three-dimensional object, as generated by said primary classifier and deformed by said secondary classifier, such that said particular three-dimensional object is embedded in said three-dimensional environment of said graphical user interface as said selection tool for said data file so as to provide a user with visual cues regarding said data file prior to selection.

9. The system of claim 8, said graphical user interface is further configuring said particular three-dimensional object as said selection tool for said data file.

10. The system of claim 8, said three-dimensional object comprising a three-dimensional mesh polygon.

11. The system of claim 10, said three-dimensional mesh polygon comprising a plurality of nodes that allow said three-dimensional mesh polygon to be animated.

12. The system of claim 8,

said taxonomy table further setting out tertiary classifications within said secondary classifications and specifying how each of said three-dimensional objects will be modified to represent each tertiary classification, and

said at least one processor further comprising a tertiary classifier in communication with said secondary classifier and modifying said particular three-dimensional object based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table.

13. The system of claim 12,

said taxonomy table further setting out quarternary classifications within said tertiary classifications and specifying how each of said three-dimensional objects will be further modified to represent each quarternary classification, and

said at least one processor further comprising a quarternary classifier in communication with said tertiary classifier and further modifying said particular three-dimensional object based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table.

14. The system of claim 8, said plurality of additional properties comprising at least one of a file name, a file type, a file size, a date of creation, a location, a last accessed date, an author, and a last modified date.

15. A system for automatically generating and displaying three-dimensional objects in a three-dimensional environment of a graphical user interface, said system comprising:

a memory,

said memory storing a taxonomy table setting out at least primary classifications based on a first set of properties and secondary classifications within said primary classifications and based on a second set of properties, said taxonomy table further setting out shapes of three-dimensional objects to represent each primary classification and how each of said three-dimensional objects will be deformed to represent each secondary classification, said taxonomy table being one of a pre-programmed taxonomy table and a custom-designed taxonomy table, and

said memory further storing an electronic file having a plurality of properties;

at least one processor in communication with said memory and comprising;

a primary classifier generating a particular three-dimensional object to be used as a selection tool said file, said generating being performed based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table based on said first set; and

a secondary classifier in communication with said primary classifier and deforming said particular three-dimensional object in a particular manner, said deforming being performed based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table based on said second set; and

a graphical user interface comprising a display displaying said particular three-dimensional object, as generated by said primary classifier and deformed by said secondary classifier, such that said particular three-dimensional object is embedded in said three-dimensional environment of said graphical user interface as said selection tool for said file so as to provide a user with visual cues regarding said file,

said particular three-dimensional object comprising a three-dimensional mesh polygon.

16. The system of claim 15, said graphical user interface further configuring said particular three-dimensional object as said selection tool for said file.

17. The system of claim 15, said three-dimensional mesh polygon comprising a plurality of nodes that allow said three-dimensional mesh polygon to be animated.

18. The system of claim 15,

said taxonomy table further setting out tertiary classifications within said secondary classifications and specifying how each of said three-dimensional objects will be modified to represent each tertiary classification, and

said at least one processor further comprising a tertiary classifier in communication with said secondary classifier and modifying said particular three-dimensional object based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table.

19. The system of claim 18,

said taxonomy table further setting out quarternary classifications within said tertiary classifications and specifying how each of said three-dimensional objects will be further modified to represent each quarternary classification, and

said at least one processor further comprising a quarternary classifier in communication with said tertiary classifier and further modifying said particular three-dimensional object based on said plurality of properties and using said taxonomy table.