Knowledge matrix utilizing systematic contextual links

• US 8,700,612 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2012
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ContextU, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ContextU, Inc.
• Inventors: Schwob, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Jalil, Neveen Abel
• Assistant Examiner(s): BISKEBORN, KRISTOFER M
• Application Number:
  US13/592,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20130054577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/722
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/94 Hypermedia Hyperlinking G06F40/134

Abstract

Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a search input, select a first cell related to the search input, and display data of the first cell and selectable objects in response to the search input. Each cell defines a way to display a portion of searchable data within a first contextual relationship and a way to display a portion of the searchable data within a second, different contextual relationship. Selection of a first selectable object results in displaying a first portion of the data of the first cell with a first set of other data related to the first portion based upon the first contextual relationship. Selection of a second selectable object results in the computer displaying a second portion of the data of the first cell with a second set of other data related to the second portion based upon the second contextual relationship.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by a computer, a search input;

selecting, by the computer, a first cell within a matrix of cells in response to the search input, wherein each cell within the matrix of cells includes searchable data, the first cell is selected based upon the first cell including searchable data related to the search input, and the first cell further includes a first link assigned a causal context relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a causal context cell corresponding to the first cell, a second link assigned an inclusion contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to an inclusion context cell corresponding to the first cell, a third link assigned a temporal contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a temporal context cell corresponding to the first cell, and fourth link assigned a spatial contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a spatial context cell corresponding to the first cell;

displaying, in response to the search input, a portion of the searchable data of the first cell and first, second, third, and fourth selectable objects, the first selectable object corresponding to the first link, the second selectable object corresponding to the second link, the third selectable object corresponding to the third link, and the fourth selectable object corresponding to the fourth link;

receiving selection of the first, second, third, or fourth of the plurality of selectable objects; and

utilizing the corresponding link to display a context cell corresponding to the first cell,

wherein selection of a first of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the first link to select and display the causal context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the causal context cell including displaying a subject of the first cell as causing or influencing one or more subjects of other cells or as being caused or influenced by one or more subjects of other cells,

wherein selection of a second of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the second link to select and display the inclusion context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the inclusion context cell including displaying the subject of the first cell within a category along with subjects of other cells included within the category,

wherein selection of a third of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the third link to select and display the temporal context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the temporal context cell including displaying the subject of the first cell within a timeline along with subjects of other cells of relevance within the timeline,

wherein selection of a fourth of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the fourth link to select and display the spatial context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the spatial context cell including displaying a location corresponding to the subject of the first cell within a map, and

when the received selection is of the first of the plurality of selectable objects, the method further comprising receiving a command to alter the zoom of the display of the corresponding portion of the data of the first cell and the first set of other data and, in response to the zoom command, adding or removing subjects that served as a cause of or influence upon the subject of the first cell, or adding or removing subjects that were caused or influenced by the subject of the first cell.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the search input is a token comprising a barcode, matrix barcode, or alphanumeric string.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the token defines a limited scope of the matrix of cells to be displayed.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the token defines a contextual relationship view to be displayed for the data of the first cell.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a token comprising a barcode, matrix barcode, or alphanumeric string to serve as a search input and cause a computer to display a contextual relationship view of the data of the first cell.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the matrix of cells is organized into groups of cells, each group of cells representing a field of knowledge, wherein the first cell is within a first group of cells representing a first field of knowledge, and wherein the first cell is linked to a second cell within a second group of cells representing a second, different field of knowledge.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a plurality of cells include data related to the search input;

displaying a plurality of points of view, each of the plurality of points of view corresponding to one of the plurality of cells including data related to the search input; and

receiving a selection of a point of view corresponding to a first field of knowledge, wherein the selection of the first cell is based upon the first cell including data related to the search input and the first cell corresponding to the selected point of view.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a zoom level or contextual relationship view for the data of the first cell based upon a compiled history for a user.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting a user to select a second cell based upon a compiled history for the user, wherein the compiled history indicates that the user has not previously selected the second cell.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a second cell within the matrix of cells; and

determining a minimum path of connections between the first cell and the second cell.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the data displayed in response to the search input or the selection of the first, second, third, or fourth selectable objects includes selectable content, and wherein selection of the selectable content results in the computer displaying the data of a second cell.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a plurality of tokens representing a plurality of cells within the matrix, contextual relationships, or zoom levels viewed by a user.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input to add a second cell within the matrix of cells or create a new link between two cells.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining counters for one or more of (a) access of a cell, (b) access of one cell from another cell, (c) access of a group of cells, and (d) use of a contextual relationship of a cell; and

determining to include data from a cell within the corresponding context cell based upon one or more of the counters.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second selection of a first, second, third, or fourth of the plurality of selectable objects, different from the previously received selection; and

displaying, in response to the received second selection, a corresponding portion of the searchable data of the first cell with data from one or more other cells that is related to the corresponding portion.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processing device to perform a method comprising:

receiving a search input;

selecting a first cell within a matrix of cells in response to the search input, wherein each cell within the matrix of cells includes searchable data, the first cell is selected based upon the first cell including searchable data related to the search input, and the first cell further includes a first link assigned a causal context relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a causal context cell corresponding to the first cell, a second link assigned an inclusion contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to an inclusion context cell corresponding to the first cell, a third link assigned a temporal contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a temporal context cell corresponding to the first cell, and fourth link assigned a spatial contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a spatial context cell corresponding to the first cell;

displaying, in response to the search input, a portion of the searchable data of the first cell and first, second, third, and fourth selectable objects, the first selectable object corresponding to the first link, the second selectable object corresponding to the second link, the third selectable object corresponding to the third link, and the fourth selectable object corresponding to the fourth link;

receiving selection of the first, second, third, or fourth of the plurality of selectable objects; and

utilizing the corresponding link to display a context cell corresponding to the first cell,

wherein selection of a first of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the first link to select and display the causal context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the causal context cell including displaying a subject of the first cell as causing or influencing one or more subjects of other cells or as being caused or influenced by one or more subjects of other cells,

wherein selection of a second of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the second link to select and display the inclusion context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the inclusion context cell including displaying the subject of the first cell within a category along with subjects of other cells included within the category,

wherein selection of a third of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the third link to select and display the temporal context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the temporal context cell including displaying the subject of the first cell within a timeline along with subjects of other cells of relevance within the timeline,

wherein selection of a fourth of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the fourth link to select and display the spatial context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the spatial context cell including displaying a location corresponding to the subject of the first cell within a map, and

when the received selection is of the first of the plurality of selectable objects, the method further comprising receiving a command to alter the zoom of the display of the corresponding portion of the data of the first cell and the first set of other data and, in response to the zoom command, adding or removing subjects that served as a cause of or influence upon the subject of the first cell, or adding or removing subjects that were caused or influenced by the subject of the first cell.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the search input is a token comprising a barcode, matrix barcode, or alphanumeric string.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the token defines a limited scope of the matrix of cells to be displayed or a contextual relationship view to be displayed for the data of the first cell.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

generating a token comprising a barcode, matrix barcode, or alphanumeric string to serve as a search input and cause the processing device to display a contextual relationship view of the data of the first cell.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the matrix of cells is organized into groups of cells, each group of cells representing a field of knowledge, wherein the first cell is within a first group of cells representing a first field of knowledge, and wherein the first cell is linked to a second cell within a second group of cells representing a second, different field of knowledge.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

determining that a plurality of cells include data related to the search input;

displaying a plurality of points of view, each of the plurality of points of view corresponding to one of the plurality of cells including data related to the search input; and

receiving a selection of a point of view corresponding to a first field of knowledge, wherein the selection of the first cell is based upon the first cell including data related to the search input and the first cell corresponding to the selected point of view.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

displaying a zoom level or contextual relationship view for the data of the first cell based upon a compiled history for a user.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

prompting a user to select a different zoom level or a second cell based upon a compiled history for the user.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

selecting a second cell within the matrix of cells; and

determining a minimum path of connections between the first cell and the second cell.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the data displayed in response to the search input or the selection of the first, second, third, or fourth selectable objects includes selectable content, and wherein selection of the selectable content results in the processing device displaying the data of a second cell.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

generating a plurality of tokens representing a plurality of cells within the matrix, contextual relationships, or zoom levels viewed by a user.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

receiving user input to add a second cell within the matrix of cells or create a new link between two cells.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform a method further comprising:

maintaining counters for one or more of (a) access of a cell, (b) access of one cell from another cell, (c) access of a group of cells, and (d) use of a contextual relationship of a cell; and

determining to include data from a cell within the corresponding context cell based upon one or more of the counters.

28. An apparatus comprising:

a processing device, wherein the processing device executes instructions that cause the apparatus to

receive a search input;

select a first cell within a matrix of cells in response to the search input, wherein each cell within the matrix of cells includes searchable data, the first cell is selected based upon the first cell including searchable data related to the search input, and the first cell further includes a first link assigned a causal context relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a causal context cell corresponding to the first cell, a second link assigned an inclusion contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to an inclusion context cell corresponding to the first cell, a third link assigned a temporal contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a temporal context cell corresponding to the first cell, and fourth link assigned a spatial contextual relationship and providing a navigation link from the first cell to a spatial context cell corresponding to the first cell;

display, in response to the search input, a portion of the searchable data of the first cell and first, second, third, and fourth selectable objects, the first selectable object corresponding to the first link, the second selectable object corresponding to the second link, the third selectable object corresponding to the third link, and the fourth selectable object corresponding to the fourth link;

receive selection of the first, second, third, or fourth of the plurality of selectable objects; and

utilize the corresponding link to display a context cell corresponding to the first cell,

wherein selection of a first of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the first link to select and display the causal context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the causal context cell including displaying a subject of the first cell as causing or influencing one or more subjects of other cells or as being caused or influenced by one or more subjects of other cells,

wherein selection of a second of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the second link to select and display the inclusion context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the inclusion context cell including displaying the subject of the first cell within a category along with subjects of other cells included within the category,

wherein selection of a third of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the third link to select and display the temporal context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the temporal context cell including displaying the subject of the first cell within a timeline along with subjects of other cells of relevance within the timeline,

wherein selection of a fourth of the plurality of selectable objects results in the computer utilizing the fourth link to select and display the spatial context cell corresponding to the first cell, the display of the spatial context cell including displaying a location corresponding to the subject of the first cell within a map, and

when the received selection is of the first of the plurality of selectable objects, the method further comprising receiving a command to alter the zoom of the display of the corresponding portion of the data of the first cell and the first set of other data and, in response to the zoom command, adding or removing subjects that served as a cause of or influence upon the subject of the first cell, or adding or removing subjects that were caused or influenced by the subject of the first cell.