U.S. patent application number 13/206110 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for method and system for organizing and displaying data.
This patent application is currently assigned to LAAS & SONDER PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Erik Koppert.
Application Number | 20110296341 13/206110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38606297 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110296341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koppert; Erik |
December 1, 2011 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORGANIZING AND DISPLAYING DATA
Abstract
A method and system are provided for a user interface. The
system can include a plurality of information categories and option
nodes organized into a hierarchy. A plurality of menu columns can
be contained within a window. The menu columns can each be
configured to display a portion of the plurality of categories and
option nodes. A first scrolling control can be located adjacent to
the plurality of menu columns and be configured to scroll the
plurality of menu columns in a defined direction across the screen.
A second scrolling control can be located adjacent on an opposite
site of the plurality of menu columns. The second scrolling control
can be linked to the first scrolling control to enable either
scrolling control to be moved in the defined direction in order to
scroll the menu columns and unused scrolling control
simultaneously.
Inventors: |
Koppert; Erik; (East Kew,
AU) |
Assignee: |
LAAS & SONDER PTY LTD
Acacia Ridge
AU
|
Family ID: |
38606297 |
Appl. No.: |
13/206110 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11734745 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
8001487 |
|
|
13206110 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/786 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/34 20190101;
G06F 3/04855 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/786 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 12, 2006 |
AU |
2006901909 |
Claims
1. A user interface on an electronic computing device, comprising:
a hierarchy of menu columns contained within a window on a display
screen associated with the electronic computing device, the
hierarchy including a parent menu column and a child menu column
and the menu columns each being configured for display to an end
user; a parent scrolling control, located adjacent the parent menu
column, configured to scroll the parent menu column in a defined
direction across the display screen; a child scrolling control,
located adjacent the child menu column, configured to scroll the
child menu column in a defined direction across the display screen;
wherein: the parent scrolling control and the child scrolling
control operate to independently scroll the respective parent and
child menu columns; and user interaction with the user interface is
enabled by an input device associated with the electronic computing
device.
2. The user interface as in claim 1, wherein the child menu column
comprises a plurality of child menu columns each having a separate
child scrolling control, the separate child scrolling controls
being configured to independently scroll a respective child menu
column, the user interface further comprising a master child
scrolling control configured to scroll all displayed child menu
columns in a defined direction across the display screen
independently of the parent menu column.
3. The user interface as in claim 1, further comprising a display
screen scrolling control configured to simultaneously scroll the
window and other content on the display screen outside of the
window.
4. The user interface as in claim 1, wherein: the menu columns are
configured to add an additional column for each information
category accessed by an end user and additional menu columns are
added on a side of the scrolling columns; and columns other than
the additional menu column that are unable to fit within a viewable
area of the window are automatically moved off the viewable area to
enable an unlimited number of menu columns to be adjacently
displayed, and are accessible using a menu scrolling control.
5. The user interface as in claim 4, wherein the columns other than
the parent menu column and the additional menu column that are
unable to fit within a viewable area of the window are
automatically moved off the viewable area to enable an unlimited
number of menu columns to be adjacently displayed, such that the
parent menu column is always visible.
6. The user interface as in claim 1, wherein the defined direction
is vertical.
7. The user interface as in claim 1, wherein the defined direction
is horizontal.
8. The user interface as in claim 1, wherein the defined direction
is a direction other than vertical or horizontal.
9. The user interface as in claim 1, further comprising an end-user
configurable response rate control to control a speed of a response
rate for retrieving information from a data repository.
10. The user interface as in claim 1, further comprising an
end-user configurable refresh rate control to control a speed of a
refresh rate for refreshing information retrieved from a data
repository after receiving updated data.
11. The user interface as in claim 10, wherein each menu column is
independently refreshable after receiving the updated data.
12. The user interface as in claim 1, further comprising an
end-user configurable download speed control configured to control
a rate at which data is downloaded into an expanding column.
13. The user interface as in claim 1, further comprising a data
speed control configured to control a speed at which data is
downloaded for display with respect to a user's control event.
14. The user interface as in claim 1, further comprising an
end-user configurable column movement control for controlling a
speed of column expansion or contraction as a user navigates the
menu hierarchy.
15. The user interface as in claim 1, further comprising an
end-user configurable menu column interaction control configured to
enable an end user to select whether the information categories in
the menu columns are activated using point-and-click or mouse-over
interface actions.
16. The user interface as in claim 1, wherein the parent and child
menu columns each comprise a column height and the window comprises
a window height, and wherein when the column height of the parent
or child menu is less than the window height an available column
space is defined between a bottom portion of the parent or child
menu and a bottom portion of the window, the user interface further
comprising an advertisement displayed within the available column
space, the advertisement being selected or sized according to the
available column space.
17. A user interface on an electronic computing device, comprising:
a hierarchy of menu columns contained within a window on a display
screen associated with the electronic computing device, the
hierarchy including a parent menu column and a child menu column
and the menu columns each being configured for display to an end
user; wherein: the menu columns are configured to add an additional
column for each information category accessed by an end user and
additional menu columns are added on a side of the scrolling
columns; columns other than the parent menu column and the
additional menu column that are unable to fit within a viewable
area of the window are automatically moved off the viewable area to
enable an unlimited number of menu columns to be adjacently
displayed, and are accessible using a menu scrolling control, and
the parent menu column is always visible; and user interaction with
the user interface is enabled by an input device associated with
the electronic computing device.
18. A method for controlling a user interface configured to access
a plurality of information categories in a database, comprising:
enabling access to the database via a graphical user interface;
presenting at least one column, including a parent column,
containing information categories to an end user via the graphical
user interface; displaying further related information in an
additional column adjacent to an active column when an information
category is selected in the active column; enabling the displayed
columns to move in a defined direction when a display screen is
filled to enable an unlimited number of additional columns to be
adjacently displayed, each additional column added to the display
separately in response to a separate information category selection
in different active columns; and enabling at least one of the
columns to be scrolled using a scroll bar associated with the at
least one of the columns; wherein: the at least one of the columns
associated with the scroll bar is a column other than the parent
column and is scrollable independently of the parent column;
columns that are unable to fit within a viewable area of the window
are moved off the viewable area to make room for one or more
additional columns within the viewable area; and columns that are
moved off the viewable area are accessible using the scroll bar or
a separate navigation bar.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/734,745 filed on Apr. 12, 2007 which claims priority to
Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2006901909 entitled
"Method and System of Organising and Displaying Data" filed on Apr.
12, 2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A majority of software programs or applications are provided
with or are adapted to work in combination with a database
containing stored data or information. As technology has advanced,
and the volume of data is ever expanding, there is an increasing
need to provide software programs or applications which are adapted
to be able to store, retrieve and display this data in a
user-friendly manner. This need is particularly important when
displaying vast amounts of data, such as search results, on-line
catalogues, and web directories.
[0003] Many known user interfaces utilize windows, cursor controls
and icons to present and enable data to be accessible via a
"point-and-click" type of systems where a user selects and clicks
an icon to access further information. Scroll bars have also been
developed for use in conjunction with the windows to enable a user
to move information contained in a viewable portion of a window
horizontally or vertically across the screen via movements of a
cursor along the scroll bars. This allows the obscured data
adjacent to the previously visible data to become visible.
[0004] These scrolling methods are also used in web browsers where
the content of the web page is longer than screen size. For
example, a user may type a search into a search engine, which
returns a number of search hits that the user has to search through
by scrolling through the results.
[0005] Current searching methods also allow a user to click on a
hyperlink that appears to contain the data the user wants to
access, which will in turn display various additional pages with
related information which the user can review for relevance and
selection.
[0006] The disadvantage of the current method is that the user
never knows exactly what type of results will appear on the next
search screen or whether these results will be correct or relevant
to the information they seek. Some current methods do employ the
use of pop-up menus, which are adapted to produce additional menu
topics in response to a user highlighting and/or clicking a
particular menu topic. However, the additional menus are not
presented in an organised column fashion and are often extremely
sensitive to cursor movement whereby a slight movement of the
cursor will close the pop-up menus and/or direct the user to a
different irrelevant menu topic.
[0007] In most systems or applications, a search function is
provided which is adapted to search through data stored in a
database as a list of relevant results. For example, assuming the
user has a search word, the entering of a search word for an
internet-based search may reveal a list of results for websites
whose recorded description may contain that word. These lists are
often extensive, and the task of finding a relevant result and/or
web page from the list can not only be quite time-consuming, but
assumes that the user has some knowledge and familiarity with the
search topic.
[0008] When using popular search engines, users are provided with a
search result list of links that point to potentially related
information. Along the way, advertisement material is shown with
often limited value to the user. Next, users have to sift through
the search results to find the information they actually want.
Finally, users are likely to visit multiple websites in an effort
to find pertinent information. Actually finding the desired
information is not guaranteed.
[0009] In order to overcome this problem, there have been proposed
methods for attempting to categorize search results and display the
results in a way in which a searcher can find information more
quickly and easily. Most of these systems however, utilize
programmatically applied algorithms, which can result in the
production of many unrelated results and the need for users to open
additional web pages to refine their search.
[0010] Search directories are commonly arranged in a hierarchical
outline form with major topics divided into smaller related topics
to whatever level of detail is deemed useful. There are many
advantages to using a directory type of organization, especially if
the person searching for information is unfamiliar with the topic.
The outline structure gives the user a kind of conceptual `map` of
the topic(s). The user can then intuitively browse both back and
forward amongst the interconnected topics and information.
[0011] In addition, many websites will provide a site map which is
a list of main headings for a website which is adapted to provide a
general indication what information is provided by that website.
However, these site maps may not allow for all sub-categories
related to a topic or a search context to be displayed and
therefore, a user may miss out on an important link, associated
topic, or web page, or may need to review a number of windows
before possibly locating the desired data.
[0012] As technology advances, computers, operating systems and
communication networks such as the internet, are becoming faster at
processing, displaying, and moving information. However, when
searching through information this can often be a disadvantage, as
a user needs time to browse through all the information presented
and can only adapt to a certain text or image movement speed. In
this regard, the prior art fails to provide a means of controlling
the speed of browsing behaviours so that a user can select a
desired speed for browsing information.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface for
organizing, categorizing, storing, retrieving and displaying
information in a system for navigating large amounts of indexed
information;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a window for controlling
browsing options, which enables a user to select an option
regarding browsing and interaction modes within the graphical user
interface;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where a column can display
one or more advertisements within an available column space;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment where an option node can
display one or more advertisements within an available column
space; and
[0017] FIG. 5. is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
method for controlling a user interface configured to access a
plurality of information categories in a database.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] A system and method are provided in the area of information
management software and for organizing and categorizing, storing,
retrieving and displaying stored information in a powerful system
for navigating large amounts of indexed information in
user-friendly manner. When applied to the internet, the technology
may be used as a directory front-end for conventional search
engines or custom search engines, as an interface to provide a
complete sitemap or as a specialized directory search engine for
one, multiple or an unlimited number of domain(s). Other types of
information can be indexed and summarized such as intranets, hard
drives, library catalogues, and other repositories of information.
Data repositories can be indexed and displayed in just one
navigable window.
[0019] The method and system can be utilized as a software
platform, interface and/or application for software such as an
operating system, software application, utility, web browser or
application, internet, intranet, virtual computer, a remote
interface, or the like. The system can be designed such that it can
be utilized with new or existing programmable technologies such as
web browsers, web applications, operating systems or the like.
Providing an extensive interface and software platform can
eliminate the need for additional software products, drivers,
plug-ins or the like to be installed. In addition, the method and
system can also be implemented for a suitable hardware item such as
a computer (client or server), mobile technology such as mobile
phones, iPods, hand-held devices, PDAs, digital cameras,
organisers, etc.
[0020] While the system and method may be applied to a technology
which is adapted to display stored information such as a mobile
phone, computer, iPod, internet or the like, for convenience sake
it shall be described herein in terms of a method and system for
categorizing and displaying search results, organized data, or
indexed data in a user-friendly manner.
[0021] The system can be in the form of software which exists on
its own and/or is part of other software applications, operating
systems, browsers or the like. The system may provide a
user-interface 101, as illustrated in FIG. 1, which is adapted to
enable a user to search and access data which may be locally or
remotely stored. In one embodiment, the user-interface 101 is a
graphical window that includes one or more columns, which are
adapted to present data 102, retrieved from a data repository to a
user in an organized and contextual manner. The data repository can
be a flat file, a spreadsheet template, or another type of
database.
[0022] Controls can be provided for accessing and modifying the
data contained in the database that supports the user interface.
The graphical interface can include controls for simple database
manipulation as part of an administrative user interface. From a
browser level, the built-in database manipulation controls can
control specific data and can turn selected column entries, option
nodes, or domains on and off In a further embodiment, the columns
can include an edit function for each column and its dependent
column data. This edit function may be restricted to administrative
users, or available to all users. Topics, files, items, and similar
data can be added or modified for the column and dependent
column(s). In yet a further embodiment, the available (targeted)
advertisement space in the columns or the results page can be
edited by users. A straightforward interface can be provided, such
as pop-over menus, which allow either general users or just
authorized individuals to edit individual components of the
directory or the option nodes. In addition, the users may be able
to edit, purchase or otherwise modify targeted advertisement space
using an account through which they can purchase, insert, edit and
view the desired advertisements and advertisements through the same
interface. Other types of databases such as relational databases,
object oriented databases, or other known databases can be
used.
[0023] The data 102 displayed within the column 103 may be provided
to each column independently and controlled independently by the
system. This can provide an additional level of independence to the
system such that, when the results and/or data are refreshed, the
entire screen 101 does not necessarily need to be refreshed thus,
reducing delays commonly caused by refreshing and redrawing images
on the screen. The column may be its own window or its own
separately refreshable browser pane. In other words, each column
can be refreshed separately along with a portion of the data that
has been delivered just for the individual column
[0024] The number of columns 103 provided to display information is
variable depending on the depth of information contained within the
database (not shown) in relation to a selected data 102 item. This
means that data items with a large number of data sub-tree levels
can generate a large number of columns However, the number of
columns 103 which can be further generated is virtually unlimited
and provides a multi-level system for searching, accessing and
displaying data/information 102. While the screen displaying
control may be able to display a large number of columns, the term
virtually unlimited as used herein means that the actual number of
columns which can be created may be limited by memory, mass storage
constraints, and other similar constraints. These columns are also
defined herein as menu columns because the columns display menu
options that allow a user to access another menu column or a menu
choice where some additional action is taken such as following a
universal resource locator (URL) or a web page is displayed.
[0025] The system may provide a number of preset columns 103 which
may be filled initially or as further information is accessed or
requested. However, the system may also be provided in the form
where the column portion or the window or screen 114 is empty, and
each column 103 will only appear as the information is accessed or
requested by a user. The characteristics of the column 103, such as
height, width, colour, shape or the like, may also be varied as
desired for a particular application. The number of columns that
are viewable on the screen at any one time may depend on the
defined width and height of the columns.
[0026] The user can click on a topic or category in the preset
column or a column returned by a search. The search results in a
column returned by a search may contain category menu items, option
nodes or a combination of both. Additional columns containing menus
or category lists can then be added for each information category
activated by an end user from a parent column. These additional
menu columns can be added on a side, top, or bottom of the
scrolling columns. When the columns are unable to fit within a
viewable area of the window, then the columns can be moved off the
viewable area and are still accessible using the scrolling
controls. These scrolling controls can be two scroll bars or other
movement controls. For example, a fixed first column can be
provided and subsequent columns can move right behind the first
column or off the left edge of the screen once the window's right
border capacity has been reached and more dependent columns are
presented. This allows a virtually unlimited number of menu columns
can be scrolled through in a defined direction.
[0027] In a further embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, where a
column 103 is not completely filled by a list of data 102, the
column 103 may be adapted to display at least one advertisement 210
within that available space. Alternatively, an empty portion 212 of
the column may include other proprietary information, contextual
information, or images. It is valuable to advertisers when the
advertisements provided within the columns are related to the
information 102 being searched, because this allows the
advertisements to be more targeted through the sub-levels of
information 102 presented to a user. Of course, the advertisements
may be unrelated to the information in the columns or similar
context. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the system where an
option node can display one or more advertisements within an
available space in the option node 220.
[0028] Each column 103 can be scrollable such that the amount of
information 102 stored within any particular column 103 is not
restricted. This scrollable function can appear where there is more
information 102 for a particular column 103 than is capable of
being displayed on the user-interface 101. Accordingly, the column
103 may have a first movement control such as a scroll bar 104 or
the like which is adapted to control movement of the text within
the column 103. The scrollbar may be a vertical scroll bar which
can be controlled via a cursor control device and/or data input
device such as a mouse, user digit for a touch screen, tablet pen,
voice activation, iPod wheel, joystick, keyboard, button or another
suitable control/input device.
[0029] In order to move the scroll bar 104, the cursor can be moved
to the scroll bar 104, and the cursor control device used to move
the scroll bar up or down by selecting the scroll bar 104 and
moving the bar with the control device or input device to move to
the scroll bar 104 such that, if the scroll bar 4 is moved
upwardly, information contained in the viewable portion of the
column will be moved downwardly and obscured data located above the
previously viewable portion will now be visible and vice versa if
the scroll bar 104 was moved downwardly.
[0030] In addition to being able to display an unlimited amount of
information 102 within a particular column 3, the system is also
designed to be capable of displaying an unlimited number of columns
within a given window or screen 101 such that all
results/information relating to a particular topic can be scrolled
through on a single screen 101 without a user having to open a
multitude of windows or interface controls to find the desired
information 102. This provides a scrollable column window that can
have an unlimited number of levels to enable a user to find and
connect to all of the possible available data. In the case of
browsing a directory of links to websites or other data, an
unlimited number of links can be found and displayed to the user in
way that is not overwhelming and the user receives "doses" of the
information as the user works through the navigation system. Thus,
a complete overview of the data can be provided at each level,
which aids in the location of data, files, links, etc.
[0031] To achieve this, the system has provided a second movement
control which may be in the form of at least one horizontal scroll
bar 105a or the like which is adapted to enable a user to scroll
through the columns 103 displayed on the screen 101. Where the
screen size and/or resolution limits the number of columns 103
capable of being displayed on a screen 101, the earliest selected
columns 103 will be automatically scrolled out of view but never
deleted. This means that a user can simply scroll back horizontally
to view the previously displayed information 102.
[0032] While the system and method has been described as allowing
the columns to scroll in a horizontal direction, the scrolling
direction of the columns is not limited to a single direction. For
example, the columns can scroll in any defined direction. The
defined direction can include scrolling the columns in a vertical
direction (up/down), a diagonal direction, around the edges of the
screen in a rectangular tile configuration, or in a tiled depth
dimension that is similar to a windows tiling function.
[0033] An example of a vertically scrolling column system can
provide a list of topics that are placed in a wide, but narrow in
height text box in a horizontally oriented column. The selection of
one of the topics would open a next column under or above the
initial column. The main movement is up and down. This
configuration may be useful when dealing with a narrow and long
screen, such as a mobile phone. In an alternative embodiment, the
navigation can take place forward and backward into the plane of
the screen in a three-dimensional (3D) manner. In an additional
embodiment, a version of the scrolling or moving columns can use
movement in multiple directions in a single user interface. For
example, part of the columns may move in a vertical and the other
part of the columns may move in a horizontal direction or some
other combination of defined directions.
[0034] The scrolling menu columns can provide a complete overview
of relevant information pertaining to a particular topic so that a
user can also locate information by its association to a particular
topic or the context within which the topic exists. Graphical
window applications have provided a bottom horizontal scroll bar
and at least one vertical scroll bar to browse across information
provided on a screen. In one embodiment, the system has provided
both upper 105b and lower horizontal scroll bars 105a which are
adapted to move simultaneously upon movement and control of either
the upper or lower horizontal scroll bar. The scroll bars can be
programmatically linked so that when one scroll bar is moved then
both scroll bars and the columns will move simultaneously. When the
columns are configured to move in a different defined direction
than just the horizontal direction, the scroll bars can also move
in the defined direction.
[0035] With the increasing size of computer monitors and television
screens being utilized as display monitors, the window can often be
quite large in size. As a result users may need to move the cursor
over a significant portion of the screen in order to move the state
of the art lower horizontal scroll bar(s) for windows and similar
interfaces. The added upper horizontal scroll bar 105b increases
the user-friendliness of the system because a majority of scrolling
and selection activity is often performed toward the top of the
screen. Therefore, a user is able to select and utilize either
scroll bar 105b, 105a depending on which scroll bar is closer and
more convenient to the current cursor position. In addition, the
second scroll bar means that the user will not have to traverse the
increasingly common large distances provided by larger windows and
displays just to scroll the columns.
[0036] The present system improves the presentation of data and
information 102 and in particular, information, which can be
remotely stored. The information 102 may be raw or processed data,
written, graphical, video, statistical, pictorial, oral or another
type of information 102 desired or combination thereof In one
embodiment, the information 102 provided within a column may have
pictures and/or sound associated with it. For example, if a person
selected a particular car model, it may be possible to view an
image and/or video of that car model and hear what it sounds like
when the item is selected.
[0037] As the users navigate through the information entries in a
column, the user will eventually arrive at an option node. The
option node may include a file, graphical image, a universal
resource locator (URL) (e.g., hyperlinks), a web page, a program
plug-in, a Macromedia Flash player, Java program, ActiveX control,
an executable script or another digital representation. In other
words, an option node can be an item in a column that results in an
action other than providing a next menu column when the option item
is selected. In an additional embodiment, the option node may
provide access to a physical device such as a USB connected device,
network drive, network server, TV cable or set-top box, or even a
printer.
[0038] In one embodiment, when a user clicks or places the
selection cursor over an option node then a window can be opened
that covers the columns When the website is closed, then the hidden
columns can be re-displayed. In addition, a web page, web control,
or web plug-in may open that fills just one or two column widths.
In a similar manner, the option node can display a column showing
query search results, an advertisement, or a product that is
available for purchase through the web. Accessing the web using the
present system and method allows a user to view an unlimited number
of web pages and digital object without opening another window,
leaving the current window, or creating a new browsing tab.
[0039] In another embodiment, when a user clicks or places the
selection cursor over an option node then a new browser window can
be opened and a web page be opened. When the second browser window
is closed, then the initial browser window, showing the columns is
still displayed.
[0040] The present embodiment, indexes information 102 and presents
the information in a list format to a user in a logical and
organised manner. The data repository for storing the information
102 can provide multiple views and copies, which are uniquely
optimised to best reflect a users' topic of interest. The system is
able to locate and display every type of data including sensory
data (graphic/audio etc) format at different menu column levels.
This is useful for the display of information in catalogues, photo
albums, targeted advertisements, etc. In a further embodiment, the
system may display and present 3D digital data.
[0041] The system may provide at least one browsing option, which
enables a user to select an option regarding browsing and
interaction modes within the graphical user interface. A first
browsing option can be a "point-and-click" option 106, as in FIG.
2, which is adapted to enable a user to browse and interact with
the interface 101 by moving the cursor to and clicking a data item
102 of interest to produce a further list of data items 102 which
are related to the first selected data item 102. Once the item 102
is selected, further information will not be displayed until that
item is selected via clicking or another active selection method
provided by an alternative control input device. The information
102 can be selected via a cursor control means or input device such
as a mouse, keyboard, voice activation, pen device or other
suitable means. Alternatively, a touch screen, voice activation, or
similar activation/clicking system may be used.
[0042] The system provides a history of the selected information
items or information categories as the user navigates through the
columns by highlighting the selected information items or
information categories. Each time the user chooses a path through
the columns the selected columns will continue to be displayed even
when the user's cursor passes over previously selected columns.
However, when the user goes back to a previous column and selects a
new item then the subsequent columns will be erased and a new
record can be generated. In a sense, a stable and visual breadcrumb
trail is provided to end users for the navigation of a database or
website. Furthermore, many other information items or information
categories continue to be displayed allowing a complete overview of
the users choices. This is valuable because prior browsing and
navigations systems do not provide the unlimited visual history of
the present system and method. Even after a second browser window
or a pane inside the same window opens to visit another web site,
the user can still come back to the first browser window location
and resume searching.
[0043] A second browsing option can be a "mouse-over" option 107 to
enable a user to browse and interact with the interface 101 by
moving the cursor over and highlighting a first item 102 of
interest to produce a further list of items related to the selected
item of interest. Once the item or data is highlighted, the next
list of information will appear after a predetermined period of
time depending on the "mouse-over" option 107 chosen i.e.,
mouse-over speed (FIG. 2). The information 102 displayed on the
screen will not be highlighted for selection until the cursor is
located directly over the information.
[0044] In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the system may
provide a sensitivity or detection bar 108 or the like located
within a portion of a column such that, movement of the cursor will
only cause information 102 to be highlighted where that cursor
movement occurs within the sensitivity or detection bar 108 portion
of the column 103. The remaining portion of the column may have
cursor sensitivity eliminated as testing has shown that it is
useful to provide a partially sensitive column to prevent crossover
of the cursor into an area which selects another unwanted result
that may be contained within the same column.
[0045] In one example of column sensitivity, each column may only
have a partially sensitive center area. One possible sensitivity
distribution can be where the first and left-most 25% of a column
entry is non-sensitive. The center area can then have 30% of the
column entry that is a sensitive/trigger area, and the last portion
or right-most part of the column entry can have 45% of the column
entry, which is non-sensitive. The percentages and area
distributions for the sensitivity can vary based on the desired
interface. Examples of other percentages and area distribution can
be: the column entry is 50% sensitive and 50% insensitive, or the
area can be divided into quadrants of sensitivity each covering 25%
of the column, or the column may be 100% sensitive. The
distribution of percentages of the column entry are not limited to
any specific percentage and the distribution of the percentages can
also be measured from top to bottom of the column entry. In
addition, the shape of the sensitive and insensitive areas is not
limited and can be of any shape. For example, a graphical image may
be displayed and the sensitive area can be a defined colour in the
image or a specific part of the image. Without the patterned
sensitivity, if the user desires to move the mouse from one column
to the next without disturbing the existing columns, the pointer
would have to go straight across to the next column in order not to
select a column entry above or below the box the user selected. The
modified sensitivity helps overcome this problem, and allows the
user to pass the pointer over the insensitive portions of column
entries, which are above or below the currently selected box to
improve navigation.
[0046] The system may provide at least one speed control option
which is adapted to control the speed at which information 102 is
displayed, the speed at which a user is able to browse information
102 on the screen and scroll across columns 103. The speed controls
are particularly useful where there is a large amount of related
information 102 for a particular topic, which is to be displayed on
the screen 1. A first speed control option may be a response
option. The response option can be adapted to be applicable in the
instance where the mouse-over browsing option has been selected,
and is adapted to control the speed at which the next column 103 or
list of related information 102 is displayed in response to a user
mouse-over and maintaining the position of the cursor over an item
102 for selection. The response option can control the time
interval at which the next list of information 102 will displayed
and this amount of time can be preset in the software or set by a
user preference. For example the mouse-over slow option may have a
response time of 3.75 seconds, the mouse-over medium option may
have a response time of 1.86 seconds and the mouse-over fast option
may have a response time of 1.02 seconds.
[0047] A second speed control option may be a download option. The
download option is adapted to control the speed at which
information 102 is retrieved and downloaded from the data
repository or database and displayed. The download option will
affect the response rate and refresh rate speeds for information
102 being retrieved from the data repository. This option may have
a default setting, which is preset by the software. However, a user
may also be able to adjust this setting to suit the capabilities of
the computer and/or mobile technology they are using.
[0048] A third speed control option may be a movement speed option.
The movement speed option is adapted to control the speed at which
the columns 103 move across the screen. The speed at which the
columns move across the screen as more columns are added and/or as
a user moves backward or forward to browse through previously
displayed columns, may be preset by the software or adjusted by the
user. This option allows the columns to move across the screen at a
predetermined speed. To summarize the speed controls, the system
can include one or more speed control options, which are adapted to
control either the movement speed control, download speed control,
or response speed control.
[0049] The system may have provided at least one shortcut 109 (FIG.
1), which is adapted to enable a user to enter the database or data
repository at a pre-selected sublevel. The shortcut buttons 109 can
be positioned across the top of the screen 101 however, it is
envisaged that these tabs or buttons 109 could be positioned at a
location as desired. The shortcuts 109 may relate to broad topics
which, which upon selection, will display a first pre-determined
set of information 102 related to that topic to appear in a column
103. Where there are more shortcut buttons 109 than are capable of
being displayed within the window or screen 101, the area
containing the shortcut button 109 will be provided with an arrow
at either end to enable a user to scroll forward or backward
through the shortcut buttons. Depending on the topics selected
within the columns, the shortcut buttons may be updated to reflect
the related shortcuts.
[0050] The method for organizing and displaying information 102
within a software application enables a user to select a desired
topic or information 102 for which they wish to obtain more
information 102. A user can begin browsing and/or searching via a
number of different methods. A first method for initiating browsing
and/or searching may be via the use of shortcut buttons 109. These
shortcut buttons 109 may relate to broad topics or headings, which
can be used to divide or sort the data 102 in the data repository.
The shortcuts can also provide other indications (e.g., graphics,
icons or photos) for groupings of the data stored within the data
repository and upon selection, and a column will display a portion
of the overall data related to that topic or heading. In other
words, a shortcut or button may be clicked to dynamically display
an entire column of data that relates to a topic.
[0051] A second method for initiating browsing and/or searching is
to have a set of preset data, topics or headings similar to the
shortcuts control 109 but more comprehensive and/or specific
located either within a first column or listed elsewhere on the
screen, which are pre-programmed by the software and are adapted to
prompt the user to select a particular area of interest. This
column of pre-set data can either scroll to display more
information or remain fixed.
[0052] A third method for initiating browsing and/or searching can
use a search engine. The system may provide a search facility 111,
which enables a user to enter a term relating to a particular area
of interest for which they would like to receive further
information. The system will then search the data depository for
data related to that term and display a list of relevant results,
hyperlinks, for a user to select from. Alternatively, the search
may return one or more columns from the database that can be
displayed to a user. This combination of search features and
directory features provides a powerful research mechanism for users
of the system.
[0053] A fourth method for initiating browsing and/or searching can
use a third party search engine. After selecting topics from the
various columns, then a breadcrumb trail is shown. This breadcrumb
trail can be submitted to a third party search engine as a search
string.
[0054] From a starting point within the database or data repository
which may be achieved via the methods described above, the related
information 102 can be retrieved and displayed to a user in a
user-friendly manner, such as a list format within a column 103
arrangement. The selection of an item of information 102 from a
list may result in one or more actions. An action may be the
presentation of a further list of related information 102 to the
left or right of the existing results allowing for further
exploration or providing detailed information about a single
selected topic. The presentation of further information 102
pertaining to a particular topic may continue through as many
levels as desired in order to find the target topic the user is
searching for. While the user is continuing to navigate, the
previous results may remain visible in each column 103 enabling a
user to view their path through the retrieved results.
[0055] The search results displayed within a column 103 can be the
start of deeper exploration of information relating to a particular
topic contained within the database or data repository. So a user
is not overwhelmed by a large amount of information 102 being
initially presented to them upon entering a search query, further
information 102 regarding a particular topic/search result is
displayed upon request by the user.
[0056] As the path of search results produced always remains
visible, the user can at a later stage go back to a particular
column and select a different item to product a different set of
results. The new results will only be updated from that column 103
forward. Once the user has found the desired end result or
information 103, then a number of possible actions can be taken.
The first action may be that the user is able to open or access the
data. The second action may be that the user will be directed to a
relevant website or URL.
[0057] The third action may be that once a desired result or item
is selected, a results window will be opened which may provide
further detailed information with a link, which the user can select
to go to the specific site or destination. The results window may
be closed 110 (FIG. 2) to take the user back to the search results
window in the instance that the selected result was not what they
were looking for. The link provided by the end result may be
deliberately hidden by the system to ensure that a third party
cannot extract the links for their own purposes. The links or URLs
provided by the end result can be hidden by the system and can only
be obtained by accessing the relevant data within the columns to
view a single link or URL for a digital object. This functionality
is an added security feature of the system, which ensures that the
database containing the information and list of URLs or links is
hidden from a user. Alternatively, the system can enable the end
user to see one URL or link at a time while browsing.
[0058] The data 102 in the data repository can be reviewed,
assessed and graded by human operators. Unlike previous search
software which relies on programmatically applied algorithms and
can result in many unrelated results, the use of human graded
results is likely to increase the relevance of search results.
However, mathematical algorithms may also be able to copy human
grading in the future. The logical organization of data increases
the chance of being able to find the desired data and related
topics in a quicker time-frame by making the process user-friendly
and by providing context.
[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates a method of controlling a user interface
configured to access a plurality of information categories in a
database. The method can include the operation of enabling access
to the database via a graphical user interface, as in block 310.
The database may be an underlying spreadsheet, flat file or
relational database. Another operation is presenting at least one
column containing information categories to an end user via the
graphical user interface, as in block 312.
[0060] Then related information can be displayed in an additional
column adjacent to a selected column when an information category
is activated in the selected column, as in block 314. The
additional columns may open in any direction, namely right, left,
above or below the column that is generating the new column. The
activation of the category can be done by clicking the information
category or by "mousing-over" the category. The displayed columns
can be moved in a defined direction when the screen is filled to
enable an unlimited number of columns to be displayed, as in block
316. The columns can be navigated using a movement control
associated with the columns, and columns that are unable to fit
within a viewable area of the window are moved off the viewable
area and are accessible using the movement control, as in block
318. The movement control can be a scroll bar or another
incremental movement graphical control.
[0061] The scrollable column window automatically opens a next
column when a column entry is selected. This change takes place
when a column entry is actively selected in the previous column
using a point and click system or a controlled area of sensitivity.
Such controls are a significant advantage as compared to pop-up
menus, which tend to be unstable, jumpy, only have a few levels,
and often drop away when a user is scrolling through the pop-up
choices. The present system and method also reduces the distance a
user has to travel across the screen to navigate the columns in a
defined direction.
[0062] While a particular embodiment of a method and system for
organising and displaying information has been described herein,
other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and
combination of any one of the features previously described.
However, it is to be understood that any variations and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *