WO2001016683A1

WO2001016683A1 - Using the placement of visual urls to communicate and assess their relationship to each other

Info

Publication number: WO2001016683A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/024178
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Backus
Original assignee: Ububu, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-08-31
Filing date: 2000-08-31
Publication date: 2001-03-08
Also published as: WO2001016683A9; AU7106900A

Abstract

Methods and systems for arranging visual file references so as to communicate and assess user perspective regarding the visual file references are described. In one embodiment, a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is displayed (504). In response to user input, the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is spatially organized to communicate user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects (506). In another embodiment, user perspective regarding visually-linked objects is assessed by receiving a data representation of a set of visually-linked objects, analyzing a plurality of attributes pertaining to each visually-linked object (508), and providing output information using the analysis.

Description

USING THE PLACEMENT OF VISUAL URLS TO COMMUNICATE AND ASSESS THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/151,672 filed August 31, 1999, and 60/152,141 filed August 31, 1999. This application is also related to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/540,860, filed March 31, 2000 and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/540,433, filed March 31, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of data representation and more specifically to the representation of URLs and other file references.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE /PERMISSION A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the increasing popularity of computing and the use of the Internet, in many fields, communication with computers and similar devices in a simple and convenient manner becomes extremely important. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) take advantage of the computer's graphics capability to simplify the interaction between users and devices. For instance, such features of GUIs as icons provide the users with a convenient way of referring to a file which can be opened or executed by merely clicking on an icon. An area on the display screen where icons are grouped is referred to as the desktop because the icons are intended to represent real objects on a real desktop. Placement of icons on the desktop is typically not related to the user perspective regarding the icons. Default placement of the icons typically results in aligning the icons along the left- hand side, with no inherent sense of priority or association between icons. Such placement offers no sense of context, and accordingly, insufficient memory cues that could assist the users in remembering icon locations and relationships between different icons.

Methods exist that allow the users to organize some types of file references in accordance with the user perspective regarding their relationships. For instance, bookmarks of URLs can be organized phonetically, by topic, or based on the time and date the bookmark was created. Typically, these bookmarks are presented using folder or list organization structures. However, list and folder hierarchies do not provide adequate visual means for communicating user perspective regarding relationships between multiple file references (e.g., URLs).

Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an improved technique for organizing a set of file references and for communicating and assessing user perspective regarding the file references.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Methods and systems for arranging visual file references so as to communicate and assess user perspective regarding the visual file references are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is displayed. In response to user input, the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is spatially organized to communicate user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects. In one embodiment, the spatial organization enables a viewer to assess the importance of, and relationships between, the visually-linked objects.

According to another aspect of the present invention, user perspective regarding visually-linked objects is assessed by receiving a data representation of a set of visually-linked objects, analyzing a plurality of attributes pertaining to each visually-linked object, and generating output information using the analysis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the following detailed description in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system in which automatic conversion between textual file references and visual file references can be performed;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment for an architecture of a computer system;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment for a data manipulation and display architecture;

Figure 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment for the data representation of a cohesive scene or a repertoire;

Figure 5A is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process for arranging visually-linked objects;

Figure 5B is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process for assessing user perspective regarding visually-linked objects;

Figures 6 A - 6D illustrate display windows of exemplary scenes of visually-linked objects in a city-themed cohesive scene;

Figure 7 is an exemplary display of a window displaying a file linked to the visually-linked object shown in Figures 6A - 6D;

Figures 8A - 8D illustrate display windows of exemplary scenes of visually-linked objects in a space-themed cohesive scene;

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate display windows of exemplary scenes of visually-linked objects linked to applications; and

Figure 10 is an exemplary display of a window displaying a file linked to the visually-linked object shown in Figures 9 A and 9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Methods and systems for arranging visual file references so as to communicate and assess user perspective regarding visual file references are described. In the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self -consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or "computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these machines will appear from the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein.

Some portions of the detailed description that follows are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory in the form of a computer program. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein.

Definitions

The term "automatic" refers to a process which is performed without requiring any user assistance to the process.

The term "file references" includes references to various files (e.g., text files, data files, program files, directory files, etc.), to various collections of files (e.g., folders, computer applications, streaming content, updated content, etc.), or to other file references. In addition, file references include references to documents and resources on public and private networks (e.g., World Wide Web), including URLs and other similar references. The term "visually-linked objects" (also referred herein as "visual file references") refers to graphic objects (e.g., images, video clips, 3-D graphics, 2-D graphics, etc.) that contain a link to a file reference (e.g., a file address such as a URL). The link may be embedded within the visually-linked object at the time such object is downloaded or may be added to the downloaded object by the automatic conversion system. Activating a visually-linked object may open an application, access or launch a web page, open a file, or perform any other suitable action. For instance, activating a visually-linked object containing a link to a document opens the document, and activating a visually-linked object containing a link to a program executable file executes the program. If the user has not opened a connection to the Internet, activating a visually-linked object containing a link to a URL may automatically initiate the Internet connection and open the web browser, thereby allowing the user to automatically access the content referred to by the URL. Other functionality of the visually-linked objects will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the description that follows.

The term "repertoire" refers to a grouping of visually-linked objects within a cohesive scene. It should be noted that a repertoire may also recursively contain other repertoires in addition to visually-linked objects.

Overview

The present invention provides means for arranging visual file references so as to communicate and assess user perspective regarding the visual file references. In one embodiment, a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is displayed. In response to user input, the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is spatially organized to communicate user perspective regarding the visually- linked objects. In addition, in one embodiment, in response to user input, various attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects are adjusted to reflect relative importance of the visually-linked objects to the user and the user perspective regarding relationships between the visually-linked objects. The adjusted attributes and the spatial organization of the visually-linked objects assist the user in remembering the location of each visually-linked object in the cohesive scene and the meaning of the content referred to by each visually-linked object. In another embodiment, a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is spatially organized to enable a viewer (i.e., a third party who did not participate in organizing and /or modifying the visually-linked objects) to assess user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects. In addition, the viewer can assess the relationships between the visually-linked objects based on their visual characteristics and other similar attributes, such as, for example, their size, shape, texture, color, orientation, and sound.

In yet another embodiment, software tools are provided to assess user perspective regarding visually-linked objects and /or content referred to by the visually-linked objects. The user perspective may concern relative importance of content referred to by the visually-linked objects, meaning of content referred to by each visually-linked object, the relationships between the visually-linked objects or between the content referred to by the visually-linked objects, etc. The software tools use a data representation of a set of visually-linked objects to analyze a plurality of attributes pertaining to each visually-linked object and to produce output information based on this analysis. The plurality of attributes may include, for example, size, shape, texture, color, orientation, sound, and placement of each visually-linked object.

An Exemplary System

Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system in which visual file references can be arranged and modified in such a way as to communicate and assess user perspective regarding the visual file references. Referring to Figure 1, system 100 represents a networked visually-linked data manipulation and display system which consists of clients 106, 108 connected via wide area network (WAN) 112 to server 102. Server 102 is connected to mass storage device 104. Mass storage device 104 may be any suitable storage medium such as, for example, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM's, EEPROM's, magnetic optical discs, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic data. In an alternate embodiment, wide area network (WAN) 112 may be a local area network (LAN).

In one embodiment, a user may access and download visually-linked objects from server 102 onto client 106. Additionally, the user may download the visually-linked objects from another client 108. Alternatively, the visually-linked objects may be downloaded onto client 106 in response to the user request to convert a set of textual file references into a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects. Activating a visually-linked object (e.g., by clicking on the visually-linked object) causes programs within the client 106 to be activated to open an application, access or launch a web page, open a file, or any other suitable action.

In one embodiment, the basic application to build and modify the visually- linked objects, together with the visually-linked objects themselves, are maintained and accessed on server 102.

In an alternate embodiment, the basic application, together with the visually-linked objects themselves, may be downloaded to client 106. In this embodiment, the basic application may be downloaded and initiated on client 106 if the user accesses a visually-linked object for the first time, or alternatively, in response to the user request to convert a set of textual file references into a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects. After the basic application is initiated, the visually-linked objects will be downloaded to client 106 and displayed upon client 106 display.

In one embodiment, the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is displayed using a real world visual metaphor. In this embodiment, the repertoires and /or the visually-linked objects included in the cohesive scene may be represented as planets, solar systems, galaxies, universes, cities, buildings, floors, and rooms. Other repertoires and visually-linked objects may be also be used such as, for example, a house containing rooms with the rooms containing visually-linked objects. In another embodiment, system 100 uses a non-real world metaphor to create a cohesive scene of repertoires and visually-linked objects. For instance, any fanciful repertoire may be used for the placement of visually-linked objects which may have geometric shapes (e.g., cubes, sphere, pyramids, etc.) or other non-real world representations.

In one embodiment, the visually-linked objects are displayed, together with windows containing a set of graphical tools, on client 106. The graphical tools allow the user to spatially arrange and modify the repertoires and visually- linked objects. In the description that follows, the real world metaphor (specifically, a planet theme) will be used. However, any other visual metaphor (real world or non-real world) may be used by the basic application without loss of generality.

In one embodiment, a wizard guides the user through the process of converting textual file references (e.g., bookmarks) into visually-linked objects. The wizard may also guide the user through the process of embedding links in visually-linked objects. The user's planet may contain visually-linked objects with links to, for example, bookmarks, sponsor (or branded) sites, and objects with links to planets of other users (e.g., a user of client 108). The user may place the visually-linked objects anywhere on the planet. In one embodiment, the user may publish the planet with visually-linked objects on server 102 for access by other users. The access may be available only to a defined group of people (e.g., a group of students doing research for school related projects) or to the public in general.

The application graphical tools are part of the basic application that may be downloaded over WAN 112. The basic application enables the manipulation and modification of visually-linked objects and their attributes such as size, position, orientation, color, shape, texture, sound, embedded links, etc. Client 106 does not need to be connected to WAN 112 to build, modify, manipulate, or move the visually-linked objects.

In one embodiment, after the visually-linked objects are created, they may be spatially organized and adjusted in accordance with the user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects. In one embodiment, the objects may be manipulated in a three dimensional (3-D) manner. For example, the planet may have a motion either around an axis or on a plane. That is, the view of the planet may be altered by rotating the planet on its axis, zooming in or out, expanding the view to include a solar system, contracting the view to a single building, or the like. In one embodiment, a planet automatically rotates on its axis whenever it is in full-planet view. In an alternate embodiment, the planet is rotated and manipulated only at the direction of the user. Similarly, solar systems, galaxies, and universes may rotate around an axis. In another embodiment, the objects may be manipulated in a two dimensional (2-D) manner.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment for a computer system 200 suitable for use with the present invention. Computer system 200 may be used in various capacities with the present invention. For example, computer system 200 may be used as a server 102 or as a client 106, 108. Referring to Figure 2, computer system 200 includes CPU 202 connected via bus 215 to a variety of memory structures and input/output 210. The memory structures may include, for example, read only memory (ROM) 204, random access memory (RAM) 206, and /or non- volatile memory 208. In one embodiment, CPU 202 is also connected via bus 215 to network interface 212. Network interface 212 is used to communicate between computer system 200 (e.g., server 102) and a variety of other computer terminals (including clients 106 and 108). Network interface 212 may be connected to WAN 112 by any of a variety of means such as, for example, a telephone connection via modem, a DSL line, or the like.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment for a basic application 300. Referring to Figure 3, basic application 300 includes graphical tool (GUI) 305, undo 315, controller 320, scene renderer 325, resource manager 330, sound manager 335, and preferences 340. Application 300 is connected to network interface 212 and local disk 350. Application 300 may be contained within RAM 206 or non-volatile memory 208.

In one embodiment, application 300 may be downloaded to client 106 when a user accesses a visually-linked object or a web site with a selection of visually-linked objects. Alternatively, application 300 may be downloaded to client 106 upon the user request to convert textual file references into visual file references. Controller 320 contains software routines to build and modify visually-linked objects and repertoires. Once application 300 is downloaded and initially launched, controller 320 instructs resource manager 330 to download the visually-linked objects from server 102 or from another client 108. Resource manager 330 first checks local disk 350 to determine if the object is saved locally on client 106. If not, resource manager 330 downloads visually-linked objects via network interface 212 to local disk 350. Resource manager 350 transfers the visually-linked objects via controller 320 to scene renderer 325. Scene renderer 325 integrates the visually-linked objects into a cohesive scene. In one embodiment, a planet (or any other appropriate surface for a cohesive scene) is also downloaded to client 106. The visually-linked objects are placed on the planet. The planet is made the current view and added to a repertoire of planets. Scene renderer 325 uses the planet and visually-linked objects to create the display. In one embodiment, the repertoire of planets is visually represented as a solar system. The repertoire, together with the visually-linked objects, is saved in RAM 206 or non- volatile memory 208 for use when needed. In one embodiment, as a user moves a pointer over a visually-linked object, sound manager 335 produces a sound associated with the object. Undo 315 is used to undo an action by the user and GUI 305 is used to enable the user to spatially organize the visually-linked objects, adjust visual characteristics and other attributes of the visually-linked objects and interact with the system (e.g., rotate planet, change view, etc.).

Figure 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment for the data representation of a downloaded world 400. The downloaded world 400 may be the entire cohesive scene or a portion of the cohesive scene such as a repertoire. Referring to Figure 4, world 400 includes repertoire 450 and one or more visually-linked objects 460. Repertoire 450 includes world meta data 405 and 3-D model world data 410. World 400 is downloaded by resource manager 330 and saved in local disk 350. In one embodiment, any repertoire 450 may be downloaded. In one embodiment, multiple visually-linked objects 460 may be downloaded. In one embodiment, repertoire 450 and visually-linked objects 460 may be downloaded together. In an alternate embodiment, visually-linked objects 460 may be downloaded separate from repertoire 450. In one embodiment, 3-D model world data 410 and 3-D object data 420 contain the graphical renderings of world meta data 405 and object meta data 415 respectively. World meta data 405 contains the data used by scene renderer 325 to build the planet for display. In one embodiment, world meta data 405 contains the name of world 400, a list of visually-linked objects 460, and a reference to a 3-D model world data 410. The list of visually-linked objects 460 contains a set of pointers in which each pointer points to an individual visually-linked object 460 associated with repertoire 450. In one embodiment, each pointer is an identification to separate visually-linked objects 460. World meta data 405 may point to a number of object meta data 415. In addition, world meta data 405 contains a position for each visually-linked object on a planet. World meta data 405 contains a pointer to the 3-D model world data 410 and each object meta data 415 contains a pointer to 3-D object data 420. The representation within 3-D model world data 410 is the actual graphical data used by scene renderer 325 to display the planet repertoire and each visually-linked object contained within object meta data 420 is the actual graphical data used by scene renderer 325 to display the visually-linked object. For example, each visually-linked object within object meta data 420 may be a JPEG or GIF image.

In one embodiment, scene renderer 325 uses the data representation of world 400, together with information contained within preferences 340 to create graphical representations for a particular display. In one embodiment, 3-D model world data 410 and 3-D object data 420 may be three-dimensional representations. In an alternate embodiment, either or both may be two-dimensional representations.

In one embodiment, graphics (410 and 420) cannot be changed by the user. In an alternate embodiment, graphics may be changed by the user.

Arranging and Modifying Visual File References

Communicating an editorial perspective regarding file references via visual means can help the creator of the file references to remember the location of each visually-linked object in the cohesive scene and the meaning of the content referred to by each visually-linked object. The user perspective referred to herein includes user perspective regarding visually-linked objects and user perspective regarding content referred to by the visually-linked objects. For instance, the user perspective may concern relative importance of content referred to by the visually-linked objects, meaning of content referred to by each visually-linked object, the relationships between the visually-linked objects or between the content referred to by the visually-linked objects, etc.

Given that spatial location is one of principal techniques through which humans ascribe meaning, spatial organization of a set of visual file references provides a meaningful way of organizing and prioritizing file references, as well as communicating those priorities and relationships.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process for arranging visually-linked objects. The process is performed by processing logic, which may comprise hardware, software, or a combination of both. Processing logic may be either in the computer system of client 106 or server 102, or partially or entirely in a separate device and /or system(s).

Referring to Figure 5, the process begins with displaying a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects (processing block 504). In one embodiment the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects is displayed using a real world visual metaphor. In this embodiment, the repertoires and/or the visually-linked objects included in the cohesive scene may be represented as planets, solar systems, galaxies, universes, cities, buildings, floors, and rooms. Other repertoires and visually- linked objects may be also be used such as, for example, a house containing rooms with the rooms containing visually-linked objects. In another embodiment, system 100 uses a non-real world metaphor to create a cohesive scene of repertoires and visually-linked objects as discussed in greater detail above.

In one embodiment, the visually-linked objects are displayed in response to the user request to convert a set of textual file references (e.g., a set of web browser bookmarks) into a set of visual file references. Alternatively, the visually-linked objects are displayed in response to user's access of a pre-existing cohesive scene of visually-linked objects.

In response to user input, the visually-linked objects are spatially organized in the cohesive scene to communicate the user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects (processing block 506). The user perspective may concern, for example, the importance of visually-linked objects and /or their relationship to each other. In one embodiment, when the user requests to convert a set of textual file references into a set of visual file references, the user ranks the importance of each file reference. In this embodiment, the resulting visually- linked objects are spatially organized according to the user's ranking. In an alternate embodiment, the user accesses the pre-existing scene of visually-linked objects and then specifies the location of each visually-linked object within the cohesive scene using graphical tools. In either embodiment, the spatial organization of the visually-linked objects assists the user in remembering an earlier prioritization and a set of relationships among the file references. In addition, participation in the placement of visually-linked objects within the cohesive scene helps the user remember the location of each visually-linked object in the cohesive scene and the meaning of the content referred to by each visually- linked object, thereby simplifying user's selection of a desired web site, file or application.

In one embodiment, spatial organization of the visually-linked objects includes their placement at various distances from a center of the cohesive scene. For instance, the visually-linked objects linked to the most frequently accessed web sites may be placed closer to the center of the cohesive scene, and the objects linked to the least frequently accessed web sites may be positioned further from the center. In another embodiment, spatial organization of the visually-linked objects includes their placement at various distances from each other. For instance, the visually-linked objects linked to the web sites that are perceived by the user as being related may be placed close to each other, and the visually- linked objects linked to the unrelated web sites may be placed far from each other. Similarly, the visually-linked objects linked to the web sites used by the user during work hours may be placed close to each other, and a visually-linked object linked to a web sites used by the user at home may be placed far away from the group of "work" web sites but, in the meantime, close to the other "home" web sites.

In ye i another embodiment, when spatially organizing the visually-linked objects, both types of distances are taken into account (i.e., distances from the objects to the center of the cohesive scene and distances between the objects).

In one embodiment, responsive to user input, various attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects are adjusted to reflect importance of the objects to the user (processing block 508). The attributes include size, shape, texture, color, orientation, sound, etc.. In one embodiment, the attributes are adjusted based on the user ranking of object importance. For instance, based on ranking specified by the user, the objects linked to the most important web sites may have larger sizes and brighter colors, as compared to the objects linked to the web sites of lesser importance. In an alternate embodiment, the user specifies the attributes of the pre-existing objects using graphical tools. The adjusted attributes of the visually- linked objects assist the user in remembering the location of each visually-linked object in the cohesive scene and the meaning of the content referred to by each visually-linked object. In some embodiments, other visual cues may be provided to better communicate the user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects. These visual cues may be provided by, for example, enabling the user to assign a name to each visually-linked object or by embedding an editorial text specified by the user into a visually-linked object.

Displaying the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects that is spatially organized by the user helps the user to remember an earlier prioritization and a set of relationships among the visually-linked objects.

Assessing User Perspective Regarding Visually-Linked Objects

In one embodiment, visually-linked objects that are spatially organized within the cohesive scene are displayed to a viewer. In this embodiment, the spatial organization enables the viewer to assess an editorial perspective regarding the visually-linked objects. The editorial perspective can be assessed using distances between the visually-linked objects, distances of the objects to the center of the cohesive scene, and other attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects (e.g., color, orientation, size, sound, shape, texture, etc.).

In another embodiment, basic applications 300 provides a technique for assessing user perspective regarding a set of visually linked objects that was organized and modified in response to user input. The user perspective may concern relative importance of content referred to by the visually-linked objects, meaning of content referred to by each visually-linked object, the relationships between the visually-linked objects or between the content referred to by the visually-linked objects, etc. Figure 5B is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process for assessing user perspective regarding visually-linked objects. The process is performed by processing logic, which may comprise hardware, software, or a combination of both. Processing logic may be either in the computer system of client 106 or server 102, or partially or entirely in a separate device and/or system(s).

Referring to Figure 5B, the process begins with receiving a data representation of a set of visually-linked objects that was organized and modified by the user (processing block 504). In one embodiment, the data representation is world 400 of Figure 4. In one embodiment, the set of visually-linked objects is a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects. Alternatively, the set of visually-linked objects is a repertoire of visually-linked objects.

At processing block 556, processing logic of basic application 300 analyzes various attributes pertaining to the visually-linked linked objects. In one embodiment, the attributes include placement and orientation parameters of the visually-linked objects within the set of visually-linked objects (e.g., within a cohesive scene or a repertoire). The placement parameters may be defined by a distance from each visually-linked object to an implied center (e.g., a center of a cohesive scene or a repertoire) or by distances between the visually-linked objects within the cohesive scene or repertoire. In other embodiments, other attributes of visually-linked objects may be used for analyzing the user perspective, including their size, shape, texture, color, sound, orientation, etc.

In one embodiment, relative importance of content referred to by the visually-linked objects to the user is determined using the analysis described above. Additionally, this analysis may be used to determine the user perspective regarding the relationships between the visually-linked objects and /or the content referred to by the visually-linked objects. It should be noted that a variety of other factors and their combinations may be determined using this analysis without loss of generality.

In one embodiment, the user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects is dynamically assessed in response to a change in any of the plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects. That is, as the user modifies the attributes of visually-linked objects within a cohesive scene or a repertoire, the analysis are immediately performed to assess the change in the user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects in the cohesive scene or the repertoire.

Further, at processing block 558, output information is generated using the analysis of the plurality of attributes. The output information may be provided in numerous forms. In one embodiment, basic application 300 maintains a database to store factors determined during the above analysis for a large number of users, together with other personal and statistical information concerning the large number of users. In this embodiment, the numerous forms for providing output information may include, for example, various graphs, tables, map overlays, progressive charts, and comparisons of data based on demographic or other factors.

In one example, the visually-linked objects may be visual URLs to commercial web sites (e.g., brands). In this example, the output information may be provided to the commercial web site to assist them in developing targeted marketing strategies. That is, the analysis performed by basic application 300 will assist the marketing specialists in understanding how the user thinks about the brands (e.g., about the relationships between the brands and about their importance to the user) and to structure advertising and other targeted marketing decisions accordingly. Exemplary Scenes

Figures 6A - 6D illustrate display windows of exemplary scenes of visually-linked objects in the context of a city-themed visual environment. Referring to Figure 6A, the scene includes several visually-linked objects represented as buildings that have various sizes and colors and are located at various distances from the center of the scene, thereby visually communicating an editorial perspective regarding the visually-linked objects. The crossing of the roads implies a "center" to the virtual space.

Referring to Figure 6B, a visually-linked object representing GAP® is added to the scene of Figure 6A. By placing this visually-linked object near the visually-linked object representing JCrew®, the user implies that the two visually- linked objects are related. Here, they are both clothing retailers. In addition, by making the Gap® visually-linked object both larger and closer to the center than the JCrew® visually-linked object, the user implies that Gap® is a higher priority clothing brand.

Referring to Figure 6C, the size and location of both GAP® and JCrew® shown in Figure 6B have been adjusted to reflect the change in the user perspective towards these two brands. Larger size of GAP® and its proximity to the center communicates that GAP® is now more important to the user than JCrew®. However, the proximity of both brands to each other indicates that the user still perceives these brands as related.

Referring to Figure 6D, an underlying grid, invisible to the user, allows a viewer or basic application 300 to measure the exact distance between each of the visually-linked objects, as well as the distance of the visually-linked object from the center. In one embodiment, basic application 300 uses the above distances and a large user base to perform statistical analysis and to provide valuable information on users' perspective regarding the visually-linked objects (e.g., information on how various users relate brands to each other). In an alternate embodiment, basic application 300 can measure the exact size of each object and accordingly, assess user perception and prioritization of the associated Web site, file, or other application.

When the user accesses any visually-linked object within the scene of Figures 6A - 6D, this object opens a URL site, file, or application represented by the visually-linked object. Figure 7 is an exemplary display of a linked window 700. Linked window 700 is opened when the user clicks on the visually-linked object representing Amazon® in Figures 6A - 6D. Figures 8A - 8D illustrate display windows of exemplary scenes of visually-linked objects in a space-themed cohesive scene. Referring to Figure 8A, the scene includes several visually-linked objects represented as planets that have various sizes and colors and are located at various distances from the center of the scene, thereby visually communicating an editorial perspective regarding relationships between the objects.

Referring to Figure 8B, an object representing IBM® is added to the scene of Figure 8A. By placing IBM® with Adobe® and Macromedia® rather than Dell® and Compaq®, the user is able to convey the importance of IBM® as a software toolmaker, rather than as a computer manufacturer.

Referring to Figure 8C, the size and location of IBM® and Adobe® shown in Figure 8B have been adjusted to reflect the user perspective towards these two web sites. Larger size of Adobe® communicates that Adobe® is now more important to the user than IBM® in the group of software toolmakers. At the same time, the user has chosen to show IBM® in the context of other computer manufacturers by adding IBM® to a group including Compaq® and Dell® to indicate that IBM® also relates to this second group. Within the group of computer manufacturers, IBM® has the highest priority as communicated by its larger size. The file references embedded in each visually-linked object can open different pages on the IBM® Web site. Referring to Figure 8D, the surface of the scene is shown as a grid to allow basic application 300 to measure distances between the objects and distances from the objects to the center of the scene. The grid may be used to measure distances within both 2-D and 3-D cohesive scenes. However, for measurements in 3-D scenes, a z-axis grid may also be required.

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate display windows of exemplary scenes of visually-linked objects representing application URLs. Referring to Figure 9A, the visually-linked objects are visual application URLs, rather than visual document URLs illustrated in Figures 6A - 6D and 8A - 8D. The visually-linked objects linked to application URLs are arranged around a target-like set of concentric circles. Such arrangement can be made by an individual, or by an organization wanting to communicate its prioritization of various file references.

The visually-linked objects representing applications have different sizes and are located at various distances from the center of the scene, thereby visually communicating an editorial perspective regarding relationships between the applications represented by the visually-linked objects. That is, in this arrangement, the placement of the visually-linked objects around the "center" of the "target' implies that Quicken is more important than PowerPoint, although the Quicken object is no larger that the object for PowerPoint. Similarly, the size of the Quicken object communicates that it is more important than Word or Excel, even though all are roughly equidistant from the center.

Referring to Figure 9B, sizes and locations of several objects shown in Figure 9A have been adjusted to reflect the user perspective towards the applications represented by these objects. Now, Word appears to be the most important link due to its size and proximity to the center, as well as Photoshop because of its size. However, because Photoshop is separate from the group clustered around the center, Photoshop is perceived by the user as unrelated to other visually-linked objects and as not central to the unifying idea behind this set of visually-linked objects.

Figure 10 is an exemplary display of a linked window 1000. Linked window 1000 is opened when the user clicks on the visually-linked object representing PhotoShop in Figure 9B, thereby activating the PhotoShop application. The specific arrangements and methods herein are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention. Numerous modifications in form and detail may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for arranging visually-linked objects, the method comprising: displaying a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects; and in response to user input, spatially organizing the plurality of visually- linked objects in the cohesive scene to communicate user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user perspective concerns content referred to by the visually-linked objects.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein a real world visual metaphor is used to display the cohesive scene.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the real world visual metaphor is represented as planets, solar systems, galaxies, clusters, universes, land masses, cities, buildings, floors, and rooms.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the cohesive scene is two-dimensional.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the cohesive scene is three-dimensional.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein spatially organizing includes placing the plurality of visually-linked objects at various distances from a center of the cohesive scene.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein spatially organizing includes placing the visually-linked objects at various distances from each other.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: in response to user input, adjusting a plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects to reflect relative importance of the visually-linked objects to the user.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of attributes comprise size, shape, texture, color, sound, and orientation.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the spatial organization and the adjusted attributes of the visually-linked objects assist the user in remembering locations of the visually-linked objects within the cohesive scene.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the spatial organization and the adjusted attributes of the visually-linked objects assist the user in remembering meaning of content referred to by each visually-linked object in the cohesive scene.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the user to assign a name to each of the visually-linked objects.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising embedding an editorial text specified by the user into any of the visually-linked objects.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the spatial organization of the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects enables a viewer to assess the relationships between the visually-linked objects.

16. A method for presenting a plurality of visually-linked objects, the method comprising: displaying a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects, the visually-linked objects being spatially organized in the cohesive scene to enable a viewer to assess an editorial perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

17. A method for assessing user perspective regarding visually-linked objects, the method comprising: receiving a data representation of a set of visually-linked objects; analyzing a plurality of attributes pertaining to each visually-linked object in the set of visually-linked objects to assess user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects; and generating output information using the analysis of the plurality of attributes.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein a change in any of the plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects is dynamically assessed in response to user input.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the set of visually-linked objects is a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the set of visually-linked objects is a repertoire of visually-linked objects.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein each visually-linked object within the set of visually linked objects represents a visual file reference to a commercial web site and the output information is provided to the commercial web site.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising determining relative importance of the visually-linked objects to the user.

23. The method of claim 17 further comprising determining user perspective regarding relationships between the visually-linked objects.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects include placement and orientation parameters of the visually-linked object within the set of visually-linked objects.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the placement parameters includes distances from the visually-linked objects to an implied center within the set of visually-linked objects cohesive scene.

26. The method of claim 17 wherein the placement parameters includes distances between the visually-linked objects within the set of visually-linked objects.

27. The method of claim 17 wherein the plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects include size, shape, texture, color, and sound.

28. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the user perspective concerns content referred to by the visually-linked objects.

29. A system for arranging visually-linked objects, the system comprising: means for displaying a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects; and means for spatially organizing, in response to user input, the plurality of visually-linked objects in the cohesive scene to communicate user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

30. A system for presenting a plurality of visually-linked objects, the system comprising: means for displaying a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects, the visually-linked objects being spatially organized in the cohesive scene to enable a viewer to assess an editorial perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

31. A system for assessing user perspective regarding visually-linked objects, the system comprising: means for receiving a data representation of a set of visually-linked objects; means for analyzing a plurality of attributes pertaining to each visually- linked object in the set of visually-linked objects to assess user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects; and means for generating output information using the analysis of the plurality of attributes.

32. A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: displaying a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects; and spatially organizing, in response to user input, the plurality of visually- linked objects in the cohesive scene to communicate user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

33. A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: displaying a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects, the visually-linked objects being spatially organized in the cohesive scene to enable a viewer to assess an editorial perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

34. A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a data representation of a set of visually-linked objects; analyzing a plurality of attributes pertaining to each visually-linked object in the set of visually-linked objects to assess user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects; and generating output information using the analysis of the plurality of attributes.

35. An apparatus for arranging visual file references, the apparatus comprising: a scene renderer to display a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects; and a graphical tool to spatially organize, in response to user input, the visually-linked objects in the cohesive scene to communicate user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the user perspective concerns content referred to by the visually-linked objects.

37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein a real world visual metaphor is used to display the cohesive scene.

38. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the real world visual metaphor is represented as planets, solar systems, galaxies, clusters, universes, land masses, cities, buildings, floors, and rooms.

39. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the cohesive scene is two-dimensional.

40. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the cohesive scene is three- dimensional.

41. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein spatially organizing includes placing the visually-linked objects at various distances from a center of the cohesive scene.

42. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein spatially organizing includes placing the visually-linked objects at various distances from each other.

43. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the graphical tool is capable of adjusting, in response to user input, a plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects to reflect relative importance of the visually-linked objects to the user.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the plurality of attributes comprise size, shape, texture, color, sound, and orientation.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the spatial organization and the adjusted attributes of the visually-linked objects assist the user in remembering locations of the visually-linked objects within the cohesive scene.

46. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the spatial organization and the adjusted attributes of the visually-linked objects assist the user in remembering a meaning of content referred to by each visually-linked object in the cohesive scene.

47. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the graphical tool is capable of enabling the user to assign a name to each of the plurality of visually-linked objects.

48. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the graphical tool is further capable of embedding an editorial text specified by the user into any of the plurality of visually-linked objects.

49. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the spatial organization of the cohesive scene of visually-linked objects enables a viewer to assess the relationships between the visually-linked objects.

50. An apparatus for presenting a plurality of visually-linked objects, the apparatus comprising: a scene renderer to display a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects, the plurality of visually-linked objects being spatially organized in the cohesive scene to enable a viewer to assess an editorial perspective regarding the visually-linked objects.

51. An apparatus for assessing user perspective regarding visually-linked objects, the apparatus comprising: a resource manager to receive a data representation of a set of visually- linked objects; and a controller to analyze a plurality of attributes pertaining to each visually- linked object in the set of visually-linked objects to assess user perspective regarding the visually-linked objects, and to generate output information using the analysis of the plurality of attributes.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein a change in any of the plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects is dynamically assessed in response to user input.

53. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the set of visually-linked objects is a cohesive scene of visually-linked objects.

54. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the set of visually-linked objects is a repertoire of visually-linked objects.

55. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein each visually-linked object within the set of visually linked objects represents a visual file reference to a commercial web site and the output information is generated for the commercial web site.

56. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the controller is capable of determining relative importance of the visually-linked objects to the user.

57. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the controller is capable of determining user perspective regarding relationships between the visually-linked objects.

58. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects include placement and orientation parameters of the visually-linked object within the set of visually-linked objects.

59. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the placement parameters includes distances from the visually-linked objects to an implied center within the set of visually-linked objects cohesive scene.

60. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the placement parameters includes distances between the visually-linked objects within the set of visually-linked objects.

61. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the plurality of attributes pertaining to the visually-linked objects include size, shape, texture, color, and sound.

62. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the user perspective concerns content referred to by the visually-linked objects.