Visual navigation of virtual environments through logical processes
First Claim
1. A method for navigating a logical environment, the method comprising:
- generating, by a processing system, the logical environment from a logical process map, wherein the logical process map includes a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each of the plurality of nodes represents a decision point in the logical process map and each branch represents a path connecting the nodes, and wherein outgoing paths from each of the plurality of nodes are expressed in absolute map coordinates;
causing, by the processing system, display in a first window of at least a portion of the plurality of nodes and the branches of the logical process map, wherein the logical process map comprises two or more disjointed graphs that are logically linked such that a branch of a first disjointed graph is logically linked to a node of a second disjointed graph;
causing, by the processing system, display in a second window of a visual representation associated with a point in the logical process map, wherein the point is one of the plurality of nodes or on one of the branches;
processing, by the processing system, navigation commands of the logical environment in response to receiving the navigation commands;
jumping, by the processing system, to a second point in the logical process map in response to receiving a navigation command selecting the second point;
causing, by the processing system, display in the second window of the visual representation associated with the second point;
causing, by the processing system, display in a third window of auxiliary data associated with hotspots, wherein each hotspot represents a point of interest in the logical process map wherein the auxiliary data includes still images, image frame sequences, audio clips, text documents, Internet links, or database queries;
causing, by the processing system, display of hotspot icons in a second window, wherein each of the hotspot icons represents a hotspot; and
jumping, by the processing system, to a particular hotspot in response to receiving a navigation command selecting a particular hotspot icon associated with the particular hotspot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system and method of operation thereof are provided that allow interactive navigation and exploration of logical processes. The computer system employs a data architecture comprising a network of nodes connected by branches. Each node in the network represents a decision point in the process that allows the user to select the next step in the process and each branch in the network represents a step or a sequence of steps in the logical process. The network is constructed directly from the target logical process. Navigation data such as image frame sequences, stages in the logical process, and other related information are associated with the elements of the network. This establishes a direct relationship between steps in the process and the data that represent them. From such an organization, the user may tour the process, viewing the image sequences associated with each step and choosing among different steps at will.
87 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for navigating a logical environment, the method comprising:
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generating, by a processing system, the logical environment from a logical process map, wherein the logical process map includes a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each of the plurality of nodes represents a decision point in the logical process map and each branch represents a path connecting the nodes, and wherein outgoing paths from each of the plurality of nodes are expressed in absolute map coordinates; causing, by the processing system, display in a first window of at least a portion of the plurality of nodes and the branches of the logical process map, wherein the logical process map comprises two or more disjointed graphs that are logically linked such that a branch of a first disjointed graph is logically linked to a node of a second disjointed graph; causing, by the processing system, display in a second window of a visual representation associated with a point in the logical process map, wherein the point is one of the plurality of nodes or on one of the branches; processing, by the processing system, navigation commands of the logical environment in response to receiving the navigation commands; jumping, by the processing system, to a second point in the logical process map in response to receiving a navigation command selecting the second point; causing, by the processing system, display in the second window of the visual representation associated with the second point; causing, by the processing system, display in a third window of auxiliary data associated with hotspots, wherein each hotspot represents a point of interest in the logical process map wherein the auxiliary data includes still images, image frame sequences, audio clips, text documents, Internet links, or database queries; causing, by the processing system, display of hotspot icons in a second window, wherein each of the hotspot icons represents a hotspot; and jumping, by the processing system, to a particular hotspot in response to receiving a navigation command selecting a particular hotspot icon associated with the particular hotspot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for navigating a logical environment, the system comprising:
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a processing system, a display device connected to the processing system; an input device connected to the processing system; wherein the processing system is configured to; generate a logical environment from a logical process map, wherein the logical process map includes a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each of the plurality of nodes represents a decision point in the logical process map and each branch represents a path connecting the nodes, and wherein outgoing paths from each of the plurality of nodes are expressed in absolute map coordinates; cause display of at least a portion of the plurality of nodes and the branches of the logical process map in a first window on the display device, wherein the logical process map comprises two or more disjointed graphs that are logically linked such that a branch of a first disjointed graph is logically linked to a node of a second disjointed graph; cause display of a visual representation associated with a point in the logical process map in a second window on the display device, wherein the point is one of the plurality of nodes or on one of the branches; process navigation commands of the logical environment in response to receiving the navigation commands from the input device; jump, by the processing system, to a second point in the logical process map in response to receiving a navigation command selecting the second point; cause, by the processing system, display in the second window of the visual representation associated with the second point; cause, by the processing system, display in a third window of auxiliary data associated with hotspots, wherein each hotspot represents a point of interest in the logical process map wherein the auxiliary data includes still images, image frame sequences, audio clips, text documents, Internet links, or database queries; cause, by the processing system, display of hotspot icons in a second window, wherein each of the hotspot icons represents a hotspot; and jump, by the processing system, to a Particular hotspot in response to receiving a navigation command selecting a particular hotspot icon associated with the Particular hotspot. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:
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generate a logical environment from a logical process map, wherein the logical process map includes a plurality of nodes connected by branches, wherein each of the plurality of nodes represents a decision point in the logical process map and each branch represents a path connecting the nodes, and wherein outgoing paths from each of the plurality of nodes are expressed in absolute map coordinates; cause display in a first window of at least a portion of the plurality of nodes and the branches of the logical process map, wherein the logical process map comprises two or more disjointed graphs that are logically linked such that a branch of a first disjointed graph is logically linked to a node of a second disjointed graph; cause display in a second window of a visual representation associated with a point in the logical process map, wherein the point is one of the plurality of nodes or on one of the branches; process navigation commands of the logical environment in response to receiving the navigation commands; jump, by the processing system, to a second point in the logical process map in response to receiving a navigation command selecting the second point; cause, by the processing system, display in the second window of the visual representation associated with the second point; cause, by the processing system, display in a third window of auxiliary data associated with hotspots, wherein each hotspot represents a point of interest in the logical process map wherein the auxiliary data includes still images, image frame sequences, audio clips, text documents, Internet links, or database queries; cause, by the processing system, display of hotspot icons in a second window, wherein each of the hotspot icons represents a hotspot; and jump, by the processing system, to a particular hotspot in response to receiving a navigation command selecting a particular hotspot icon associated with the particular hotspot. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification