System and method for multi-dimensional organization, management, and manipulation of data

• US 20050131924A1
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quantum Matrix Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Quantum Matrix Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Jones, Dennis Benson
• Granted Patent: US 7,433,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/26 Visual data mining; Browsing structured data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/283 Multi-dimensional databases or data warehouses, e.g. MOLAP or ROLAP
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

The Quantum Matrix system is a multi-dimensional, multi-threaded exchange environment for data organization, management, and manipulation. Data is organized into a multi-dimensional structure of nodes. Nodes may represent data, absence of data, or another set of nodes. The multi-dimensional structure or portions of it can be automatically created from a file system. One or more associations are also defined for the multi-dimensional structure. An association indicates a relationship between a node and another node, data, or a set of nodes. The multi-dimensional structure is then displayed three-dimensionally and navigated. Relational logic, Boolean algebra, or a scripting language can be applied to the nodes, data, and associations to produce a resultant set of nodes. Furthermore, portions of the multi-dimensional structure can be isolated with the use of planes to ease navigation. Furthermore, Avatars may be displayed and used for collaborative purposes and to automate the navigation of the multi-dimensional structure.

Claims

1. A computer-based method of manipulating data visually comprising:

(a) organizing a multi-dimensional structure composed of a plurality of nodes, wherein each node represents one of a data, an absence of data, and a set of nodes;

(b) defining one or more associations, wherein an association indicates a relationship between a node and one of another node, a data, and a set of nodes;

(c) displaying the multi-dimensional structure three dimensionally; and

(d) navigating the multi-dimensional structure, wherein the navigating step includes the step of applying one of a relational logic, a Boolean algebra, and a scripting language on one or more nodes, data, and the associations to produce a resultant set of nodes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) includes the steps further comprising:

(1) using a plane to divide the multi-dimensional structure into a first part and a second part; and

(2) selecting one of the first part and the second part.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

(3) hiding the unselected part.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises of creating the multi-dimensional structure automatically from a file system wherein a node represents one of a file and a directory, wherein a node representing a directory also represents a set of nodes in the multi-dimensional structure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises of one of static value and a dynamically changing value.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of nodes and data of the multi-dimensional structure are stored on one of a remote computer and storage device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises of displaying the multi-dimensional structure using stereoscopic display.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises of displaying an Avatar and step (d) comprises of the Avatar navigating the multi-dimensional structure.

9. A system of manipulating data visually comprising:

organizing means for organizing a multi-dimensional structure composed of a plurality of nodes, wherein each node represents one of a data, an absence of data, and a set of nodes;

defining means for defining one or more associations, wherein an association indicates a relationship between a node and one of another node, a data, and a set of nodes;

displaying means for displaying the multi-dimensional structure three dimensionally; and

navigating means for navigating the multi-dimensional structure, wherein the navigating means includes an applying means for applying one of a relational logic, a Boolean algebra, and a scripting language on the nodes, data, and the associations to produce a third set of nodes.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the navigating means includes the steps further comprising:

using means for using a plane to divide the multi-dimensional structure into a first part and a second part; and

selecting means for selecting one of the first part and the second part.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

hiding means for hiding the unselected part.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the organizing means comprises of a creating means for creating the multi-dimensional structure automatically from a file system wherein a node represents one of a file and a directory, wherein a node representing a directory also represents a set of nodes in the multi-dimensional structure.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embedded in said medium for causing a computer to manipulate data visually, comprising:

first computer readable program code means for causing the computer to organize a multi-dimensional structure composed of a plurality of nodes, wherein each node represents one of a data, an absence of data, and a set of nodes;

second computer readable program code means for causing the computer to define one or more associations, wherein an association indicates a relationship between a node and one of another node, a data, and a set of nodes;

third computer readable program code means for causing the computer to display the multi-dimensional structure three dimensionally; and

fourth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to navigate the multi-dimensional structure, wherein the fourth computer readable program code includes a fifth computer readable program code means for applying one of a relational logic, a Boolean algebra, and a scripting language on the nodes, data, and the associations to produce a third set of nodes.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the fourth computer readable program code means comprises:

sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to use a plane to divide the multi-dimensional structure into a first part and a second part; and

seventh computer readable program code means for causing the computer to select one of the first part and the second part.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the fourth computer readable program code means further comprises:

eighth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to hide the unselected part.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the first computer readable program code means comprises a sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to create the multi-dimensional structure automatically from a file system wherein a node represents one of a file and a directory, wherein a node representing a directory also represents a set of nodes in the multi-dimensional structure.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the data comprises of one of static value and a dynamically changing value.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein a plurality of nodes and data of the multi-dimensional structure are stored on one of a remote computer and storage device.

19. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the third computer readable program code means comprises a sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to display the multi-dimensional structure using stereoscopic display.

20. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the third computer readable program code means comprises a sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to display an Avatar and the fourth computer readable program code means comprises a seventh computer readable program code means for causing the computer to navigate the multi-dimensional structure by the Avatar.