Methods and systems for interactive classification of objects

• US 8,370,761 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Good, Lance E., Stefik, Mark J., Brawer, Alexander B.
• Primary Examiner(s): TAN, ALVIN H
• Application Number:
  US10/369,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20030179236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,637 Days
• Field of Search: 715/767
• US Class Current: 715/767
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/353 into predefined classes

Abstract

Methods and systems provide a computational assistance for interactive classification that compensates for the small size of computer screens and accelerates classification tasks. Similarity indicators reduce manual search by enabling information objects to “call out” automatically to encourage a sensemaker to place related items nearby. Similarity terms signal which groups or objects match and why they match. Using these techniques, an interactive classification tool can focus a sensemaker'"'"'s attention, move things into view automatically, and provide shortcuts for automatic classification. These techniques speed up classification for rule-based classification, example-based classification, and mixed strategies and have the potential for application in a wide variety of sensemaking tools.

Claims

1. A method for interactive classification of objects, comprising:

receiving an instruction to place a new object in a workspace containing organized existing objects;

determining a degree of similarity of the new object to existing clusters of one or more existing objects or categorized groups of existing objects in the workspace using a similarity metric;

providing a visual indication of basis of similarity of a new object to the clusters or groups by visually indicating in similar clusters or groups one or more specific similarity terms or similarity elements that are the basis of similarity, and

wherein the degree of similarity is used to influence space allocation and altering of a display of the workspace by one or more of panning, scrolling or resizing of objects to automatically bring into view clusters or group of the most similar objects without modifying the organization of the existing objects in the workplace.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a threshold degree of similarity;

wherein providing the visual indication is only for existing clusters or categories groups having a degree of similarity above the threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transiently displaying the similarity metric.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the similarity comprises computing a weight using a term frequency times inverse document frequency computation.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an indication of a possible place for placement of the new object.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a user with a shortcut operation for classifying the new object.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a spatial or hierarchical overview of the a workspace that includes the similarity metric.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein providing the overview includes at least one of scrolling, panning, and zooming.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual indication is one or more of making the similarity terms bold or highlighted or superimposed over a display of the similar clusters or groups using a different color font.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a display of clusters and groups includes hierarchies of groups.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the degree of similarity determination applies to groups at all levels of the hierarchy.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the visual indication applies to clusters or groups at all levels of hierarchy.

13. An interactive classification system, comprising:

a processor configured to execute the following circuits;

a new object detection circuit that receives an instruction to place a new object in a workspace containing organized existing objects;

a similarity determination circuit that determines a degree of similarity of the new object to existing clusters of one or more existing objects or categorized groups of existing objects in the workspace using a similarity metric;

a similarity representation circuit that provides a visual indication of a basis of similarity of the new objects to the clusters or group by visually indicating in similar clusters or groups one or more specific similarity terms or similarity elements that are the basis of similarity; and

a visual effect circuit used to influence space allocation and altering of a display of the workspace based on the degree of similarity by one or more of panning, scrolling or resizing of objects to automatically bring into view on the display clusters or group of the most similar objects without modifying the organization of the existing objects in the workspace.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the similarity determination circuit determines threshold degree of similarity, and wherein the visual indication is provided only for existing clusters or groups having the degree of similarity above the threshold.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the similarity representation circuit transiently displays the similarity metric.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the similarity determination circuit determines the similarity by computing a weight using a term frequency times inverse document frequency computation.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a placement assisting circuit that provides an indication of a possible place for placement of the new object.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising a placement assisting circuit that provides a user with a shortcut operation that instructs to classify the new object.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein a visual effect circuit provides a spatial or hierarchical overview of a workspace that includes the similarity metric.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the visual indication is one or more of making the similarity terms bold or highlighted or superimposed over a display of the similar clusters or groups using a different color font.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein a display of clusters and groups includes hierarchies of groups.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the degree of similarity determination applies to groups at all levels of the hierarchy.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the visual indication applies to clusters or groups at all levels of hierarchy.