Graphical user interface utilizing three-dimensional scatter plots for visual navigation of pictures in a picture database
First Claim
1. A method of navigating and retrieving pictures in a picture database comprising the steps of:
- providing a first display dimension representing a first characteristic of the pictures;
providing a second display dimension representing a second characteristic of the pictures;
providing a third display dimension representing a third characteristic of the pictures;
determining groups of pictures according to the first, second and third characteristics, and providing in the manner of a scatter plot, a plurality of picture icons plotted according to a first dimension along a first axis corresponding to said first display dimension, and a second dimension along a second axis corresponding to said second display dimension, with each picture icon indicating a determined group of pictures;
wherein said third dimension is evidenced by distinct visual characteristics of said icons.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel graphical user interface (GUI) using metadata, generates three-dimensional scatter plots (100, 200, 300, 400) for the efficient and aesthetic navigation and retrieval of pictures in a picture database. The first and second dimensions (102, 104, 202, 204, 302, 304, 402, 404) represent abscissas and ordinates corresponding to two picture characteristics chosen by the user. Distinguishing characteristics of icons (108-126, 208-230, 308-326, 408-430) in the scatter plot (100, 200, 300, 400), which icons represent groups of pictures, indicate the third dimension, also chosen by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the third dimension is indicated by the color of the icon (108-126, 208-230, 308-326, 408-430). Along with many other possibilities, the three dimensions of a scatter plot (100, 200, 300, 400) can represent combinations of “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” and “Why” picture characteristic information contained in the picture metadata. Activating an icon (108-126, 208-230, 308-326, 408-430) produces a thumbnail of the pictures in the group represented by the particular icon (108-126, 208-230, 308-326, 408-430). Updating one display dimension dynamically updates the other display dimensions.
77 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of navigating and retrieving pictures in a picture database comprising the steps of:
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providing a first display dimension representing a first characteristic of the pictures;
providing a second display dimension representing a second characteristic of the pictures;
providing a third display dimension representing a third characteristic of the pictures;
determining groups of pictures according to the first, second and third characteristics, and providing in the manner of a scatter plot, a plurality of picture icons plotted according to a first dimension along a first axis corresponding to said first display dimension, and a second dimension along a second axis corresponding to said second display dimension, with each picture icon indicating a determined group of pictures;
wherein said third dimension is evidenced by distinct visual characteristics of said icons. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A graphical user interface adapted to navigate and retrieve pictures in a picture database, said graphical user interface (GUI) comprising:
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a first display dimension generator adapted to generate a first display dimension representing a first characteristic of the pictures;
a second display dimension generator adapted to generate a second display dimension representing a second characteristic of the pictures;
a third display dimension generator adapted to generate a third display dimension representing a third characteristic of the pictures; and
an icon generator adapted to determine groups of pictures according to the first, second and third dimensions, and to generate in the manner of a scatter plot, a plurality of picture icons plotted according to a first dimension along a first axis corresponding to said first display dimension, and a second dimension along a second axis corresponding said second display dimension, each picture icon indicating a determined group of pictures;
wherein said third dimension is evidenced by distinct visual characteristics of said icons. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification