Matrix-based user interface and system for creating the same

• US 20020143772A1
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Gottsman, Edward J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,341,194 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context

Abstract

A system that includes a graphical user interface that may be used to access information contained in a database is provided. The graphical user interface includes a matrix of icons that correspond to textual excerpts. A textual excerpt is displayed above the matrix and the displayed textual excerpt changes as a user moves a pointing device over the icons. The user may perform searches of character strings contained in the textual excerpts. The color of the icons that correspond to textual excerpts that satisfy the search request is different from the color of the remaining icons. The interface also allows the user to rapidly and efficiently perform searches to retrieve information from the database.

Claims

1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user selection device, a method of permitting a user to quickly view elements in a database comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying in a matrix area on the display a matrix having a plurality of cells and a plurality of icons displayed in one or more of the cells, each icon corresponding to an element in the database;

(b) receiving an icon selection signal in response to a user selecting one of the icons with the user interface selection device; and

(c) in response to the icon selection signal, displaying a corresponding element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix includes row headings and column headings, the row headings identifying sources from which the elements are obtained, the column headings identifying subject matter to which the elements relate.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of changing a visually perceptive characteristic of one of the icons in response to step (b).

4. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

(d) receiving from the user a search request input from a user input device; and

(e) changing a visually perceptive characteristic of icons that correspond to elements that satisfy the search request.

5. The method of claim 1, further including the step of periodically changing, without intervention by the user, the element that is displayed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the element comprises a digital image.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the element comprises a textual excerpt.

8. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

(d) displaying in a title relating to the element; and

(e) displaying in a source location a source of the element.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user selects the icon by superimposing a pointing indicator on the icon.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, further including computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

(d) receiving a search request from a user; and

(e) changing a visually perceptive characteristic of icons that correspond to files that satisfy the search request.

13. The system of claim 9, further including a content editor coupled to the database of textual excerpts.

10. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

(a) displaying in a matrix location of a display a matrix of a plurality of icons, each icon corresponding to a file;

(b) displaying in a file location of the display a file;

(c) receiving an icon selection signal indicative of the user interface selection device pointing at one of the icons, and, in response to the selection signal, displaying a corresponding file in the file location.

12. A system that generates computer executable instructions, the system comprising:

a database of textual excerpts;

a translator configured to combine the textual excerpts into a library file;

a computer configured to combine source code and the library file into a single executable file.

14. A method of generating an executable computer file comprising:

(a) creating from a database, an element library containing a plurality of database elements having a common format;

(b) creating source code for a user interface that permits a user to view the database elements; and

(c) compiling the element library and the source code to create an executable computer file which, when executed, permits the user to display the database without reference to non-compiled data.

15. A computer-readable medium containing a computer executable file created by the method of claim 14.