CA2630428C - Timescale for representing information - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for presenting information on a timeline is provided, the method comprising displaying the plurality of documents on the timeline using either a linear or a non-linear timescale. Documents presented along a linear timeline can switch to a non-linear timeline and vice-versa. The plurality of documents can be search results provided along the timeline representing a time attribute of each resuk. More than one timeline can be used to display documents, each timeline using a timescale that can be similar or dissimilar. An interface and a system for implementing the method is also provided.

Description

2

3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

4 1. Field of the Invention 6 [01] This invention relates generally to computer systems and more specifically to 7 man-machine interfaces that facilitate information localization and organization.

9 2. Description of the Related Art [02] Documents displayed on a computer interface along a timeline are using a 11 fixed timescale.
12 [03] A variety of timescales could provide a more insightful representation of 13 the documents.
14 [04] Prior art computer systems or computer interfaces have not provided solutions to deal with the aforementioned problems and each of these 16 deficiencies in the prior art yield a demand for an improved information managing 17 system and method using an intuitive and natural way to visually present 18 information as well as the associations between the information. Other needs 19 might become apparent for a person having skills in the art of information management in view of the present reading.

23 [06] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a method and a system that organize 24 information that is an improvement over known information organizing methods and systems and improves at least one of the aforementioned deficiencies.
26 [06] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a display of 27 documents along a timeline that can change between a linear and a non-linear 28 timescale.
29 [07] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for changing the distribution of documents, or multimedia assets, or computer-readable files, 31 displayed on a timeline.

1 [08] One aspect of the present invention provides a unified method for 2 graphically representing and organizing information elements, regardless of the 3 format, type, size, media or nature of the information in a computer system 4 including a computer power unit, a memory, an input, an output and a display.
[09] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least one 6 characterization attribute is associated with each information element.
A
7 characterization attribute can be described as a "category" or topics that 8 characterizes the information element according to the meaning the information 9 element has for the user. Because it is desirable to carry as much context as possible with every information element the invention also provides a tool to work 11 with many characterization attributes for every information element.
12 [010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for displaying 13 an array of documents on a display, the method comprising presenting a plurality 14 of documents on the array of documents along a timeline; and selecting a timescale of the timeline between one of a linear timescale and a non-linear 16 timescale.
17 [011] An aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable medium 18 including computer-executable instructions for implementing a method for 19 presenting an array of documents, the method comprising presenting a plurality of documents on the array of documents along a timeline; and selecting a timescale 21 of the timeline between one of a linear timescale and a non-linear timescale.
22 [012] One other aspect of the present invention provides a system for displaying 23 a plurality of documents along a first array of documents, the system comprising a 24 computing unit; at least one computer-readable medium adapted to transfer data to the computing unit, the at least one computer-readable medium adapted to 26 store computer-executable instructions for implementing a user interface thereon;
27 and a display adapted to display the user interface, the user interface being 28 adapted to display an array of documents along a timeline, the timeline being 29 adapted to use one of a linear timescale and a non-linear timescale.
[013] One other aspect of the present invention provides a method for organizing 31 documents in a system having a display, each one of the plurality of documents 1 having a least one attribute, the method comprising enabling an array of 2 documents based on an attribute, the array of documents comprising a group of 3 documents having the attribute associated therewith; and causing the display to 4 display the array of documents; wherein the array of documents is adapted to display the group of documents according to a timeline using one of a linear and 6 non-linear timescale.
7 [014] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will 8 become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
11 [015] FIG. 1 is a block-diagram of the sources of information leading to 12 knowledge growth;
13 [016] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of the growth of an individual's 14 knowledge in time;
[017] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic representation of multiple individual's vectors in 16 time;
17 [018] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic representation of parallel vectors of individuals 18 in time and the contacts leading to the exchange of information between them;
19 [019] FIG. 5 depicts a schematic representation of the "bicephal"
(personal/professional) aspect of an individual's path in time;
21 [020] FIG. 6 is a block-diagram of an integrated hardware and software 22 computer system;
23 [021] FIG. 7 is a block-diagram of a filing process controlled by the SML01;
24 [022] FIG. 8 is a block-diagram of the multiple unique filing process controlled by a prior art operating system;
26 [023] FIG. 9 is a block-diagram depicting the multiple-link part of the filing 27 process controlled by the SML01;
28 [024] FIG. 10 is a block-diagram depicting the information insertion levels in the 29 SML01;
[025] FIG. 11 depicts the notions of information's layer, version and assembly in 31 the SML01;

1 [026] FIG. 12 depicts one SMLOI information element;
2 [027] FIG. 13a depicts an information element with a date and time counter;
3 [028] FIG. 13b depicts a unified format representation of an information element;
4 [029] FIG. 14 depicts a more detailed view of the characterization attribute window from the attribute sub-area in the SMLOI;
6 [030] FIG. 15 depicts a SMLOI information element illustratively having a unified 7 format representation of an audio document;
8 [031] FIG. 16 depicts an alternate dynamic assembly of an audio unified format 9 representation document in the SMLOI;
[032] FIG. 17 depicts a SMLOI information element illustratively having a unified 11 format representation of a video document;
12 [033] FIG. 18 depicts an alternate dynamic assembly of a unified format 13 representation video document;
14 [034] FIG. 19a depicts a unified format representation of an Internet sourced document;
16 [035] FIG. 19b depicts an alternative unified format representation of the 17 document of Fig. 19a;
18 [036] FIG. 20 depicts an unified format representation of an odd-sized 19 document;
[037] FIG. 21 depicts an unified format representation of an odd-sized document 21 resized in a standard SMLOI information element size;
22 [038] FIG. 22 depicts an unified format representation of a reference to a non-23 electronic document;
24 [039] FIG. 23 depicts a SMLOI basic entry sequencing applied to an unified format representation of a document as it is inserted in the SMLOI;
26 [040] FIG. 24 depicts an alternative "pile" methods of graphically representing 27 the information element order in the SML01;
28 [041] FIG. 25 depicts an alternative "roll" method of graphically representing the 29 information element order in the SMLOI;
[042] FIG. 26 depicts the use of bookmarks in the SMLOI;

1 [043] FIG. 27 depicts a bi-dimensional view of two intersecting information 2 element vectors in the SMLOI;
3 [044] FIG. 28 depicts a bi-dimensional view of multiple intersecting information 4 element vectors in the SMLOI;
[045] FIG. 29 depicts a tri-dimensional view of three information element vectors 6 in the SMLOI;
7 [046] FIG. 30 depicts a tri-dimensional view of three information element vectors 8 in addition to a fourth vector in the SMLOI;
9 [047] FIG. 31 depicts the second relative information element vector possibilities according to the fourth vector;
11 [048] FIG. 32 depicts a typical corporate bloc diagram;
12 [049] FIG. 33 depicts an alternative SMLOI illustratively applied to a multi-user 13 corporate environment;
14 [050] FIG. 34 depicts an access grid from a SMLOI in a multi-user corporate environment;
16 [051] FIG. 35 depicts an alternative SMLOI in a multi-user corporate 17 environment;
18 [052] FIG. 36 depicts an alternative SMLOI access bloc diagram for a typical 19 corporate environment;
[053] FIG. 37 depicts a uni-dimensional view of the SMLOI with access codes;
21 [054] FIG. 38 depicts a uni-dimensional limited access view of the SMLOI;
22 [055] FIG. 39 depicts a privacy-enhanced view of the SML01;
23 [056] FIG. 40 depicts a bi-dimensional limited access view of the SMLOI;
24 [057] FIG. 41 depicts a uni-dimensional view of the SMLOI;
[058] FIG. 42 depicts a uni-dimensional view of the SMLOI in privacy-enhanced 26 mode;
27 [059] FIG. 43 depicts a proposed graphical interface for the SMLOI;
28 [060] FIG. 44 depicts multiple view size windows of the SMLOI;
29 [061] FIG. 45 depicts a proposed "radar-screen" in the SMLOI;
[062] FIG. 46 depicts a proposed "radar-screen" presenting the future in the 31 SMLOI;

5 1 [063] FIG. 47 depicts a proposed view of the SMLOI in a web browser window;
2 [064] FIG. 48 depicts SMLOI as part of a typical game console;
3 [065] FIG. 49 depicts a typical game console controller;
4 [066] FIG. 50 depicts a path using multiple information element vectors;
[067] FIG. 51 depicts a bi-dimensional view of the SMLOI with non-parallel

6 information element vectors intersecting in distinct planes;

7 [068] FIG. 52 depicts a bi-dimensional view of the SMLOI with animated

8 movements of the information element vectors reacting to navigation in the

9 SMLOI;
[069] FIG. 53 depicts a bi-dimensional view of the SMLOI using a non-uniform 11 timeline;
12 [070] FIG. 54 depicts a bi-dimensional view of the SMLOI using a uniform 13 timeline;
14 [071] FIG. 55 depicts a bi-dimensional view of the SMLOI using a non-uniform timeline with visual information elements differentiators; and 16 [072] FIG. 56 depicts a bi-dimensional view of the SMLOI using a uniform 17 timeline with visual information elements differentiators and progressive change 18 of size.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION
21 [073] A System and Method for Locating and Organizing Information (SMLOI) 22 illustratively stored in the memory of a computer system will now be described in 23 detail. The following description, specific steps, procedures, method, commands, 24 graphic representation, computer user interface and other specifics are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
However, it 26 will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present description of the 27 invention provides only one example of how someone skilled in the art can 28 produce the claimed invention. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that 29 the present invention may be practiced without or with only a portion of the specific details disclosed herein. In other instances, well known systems and 1 methods are shown in schematic and diagrammatic form or not shown at all in 2 order not to obscure with unnecessary details the present invention.

4 The "vector" knowledge theory [074] In order to build a good knowledge management system it is necessary to 6 analyze how knowledge is acquired and how it is processed by a human being. A
7 model was created to help understand how people are managing information and 8 knowledge.
9 [075] To improve the efficiency of knowledge management, the usefulness of the knowledge should be increased. If the knowledge is defined as the sum of the 11 information retained, it can be said that the increase in efficiency of knowledge 12 management can be attained by improving the usefulness of the retained 13 information. The usefulness of the information lies in its ability to be understood, 14 recorded, classified, visualized, anticipated, retrieved, extracted and shared.
[076] FIG. 1 illustrates how someone's knowledge level 10 increases.
16 Information is acquired through contact 14 with other individuals or learned 12.
17 The learned information 12 can be provided by actions 16 and events 18.
FIG. 1 18 illustrates also that information acquired through contact 14 with other individuals 19 can come from meetings or minutes 20, messages or conversations 22, and documents 24.
21 [077] The information gathering process is continuous for an individual. FIG. 2 22 shows the path of an individual, schematized by a cylindrical shape 30, relative to 23 the absolute time vector 32, as being a continuous gathering of information. The 24 cylindrical shape 30 is a schematized vector and will be explained in details later in this description. The gathering process is illustratively operating through 26 actions "a" 34, contacts "c" 36 and events "e" 38 for the purpose of this 27 description. The amount of the knowledge or information is represented by the 28 cross area 40 of the cylindrical shape 30, and, as information is acquired through 29 time 32, the knowledge is increased, hence, diameter D2 44 > diameter Di 46.
[078] FIG. 3 shows three cylindrical shapes 30 that represent the continuous, 31 parallel paths of three different individuals 50, 52, and 54, respectively, relative to 1 time 32. Interaction 72 occurs between individuals 50, 52, and 54 at time point 56 2 on the absolute time vector 32 over a period of time.
3 [079] FIG. 4 shows the continuous, parallel path of individuals 50, 52, 54, 60, 62, 4 64, and 66, respectively, relative to time 32. Interaction 76 occurs between individuals 64 and 66 at time point 68, interaction 74 occurs between individuals 6 50 and 60 at time point 70, and interaction 72 occurs between individuals 50, 52 7 and 54 at time point 56. At interactions 72, 74, and 76 the contacts are likely to 8 generate an exchange of information. The information can be of a personnel or a 9 professional nature. For example, if individuals 50, 52, and 54 are employees of the same company their professional information transmitted during event 72 at 11 time point 56 may be labeled as corporate.
12 [080] FIG. 5 shows the path of individual 50, 52, 54 and 60 with one professional 13 interaction 72 at time point 56 and one personal interaction 74 at time point 70.
14 Personal interaction 74 is labeled and considered differently than a professional interaction 72.
16 [081] The cylinder 30 diameter variation, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, represents 17 the amount of knowledge 10 acquired by an individual. Equations and algorithms 18 can be applied to that cylindrical representation 30 of the increasing diameter 46.
19 Some of the variables may be the time vector 32, the cross area 40 of the cylinder 30, the time between contacts, the number of individuals, the nature of 21 contacts, the diameter variation rate, the contact rate, the event rate, and the 22 communication rate.
23 [082] Accordingly, this theory, as schematized by this model, considers the time 24 as a major reference in the knowledge gathering process of an individual. Other references, maybe less intuitive, will be listed later and are within the scope of the 26 present invention. Different interactions between individuals generate information 27 exchange. Further in the description it will be useful to understand that the 28 schematized cylindrical shape 30 is a vector, further described as 230 and 232, in 29 the SMLOI.

1 The computer system 2 [083] The System and Method for Locating and Organizing Information (SML01) 3 of the present invention is part of a computer system such as the one shown in 4 FIG. 6. The computer system shown in FIG. 6 is a complicated one, it could have been described only by an input/output interface unit, a system bus or network, a 6 storage device and a processor. The type of computer system presented in FIG.
7 6, that is well known by one skilled in the art, includes a processing means, such 8 as a microprocessor, a memory mean 84, such as system RAM, and a storage 9 means that can be network based, such as a hard disk or other storage means having a high capacity for storing documents and other information maintained by 11 the filing system. The processing means 82, the memory means 84, and the 12 storage means 86 (which may have its own I/O controller 88) are interconnected 13 by a system bus 90 which includes control signals as well as address lines and 14 data lines for sharing information, including data and instructions, between the components of the computer system. Also connected to the system bus 90 is an 16 I/O controller 92 which controls the signals received from a keyboard 94, a mouse 17 96, an image capture device 100, a touch screen (not shown), a microphone 102, 18 and a game control 98 and provide those signals, which indicate instructions from 19 the user, to the computer system. A display controller 104 is coupled to the system bus 90 and receives commands and data from the processing means 82 21 and from the memory means 84 via system bus 90. Display controller/adapter 22 104 controls a display device 106 in order to provide images for the user. It will be 23 appreciated that the typical computer system includes a bit mapped screen stored 24 in memory, which may be a dedicated frame buffer memory 105 or the system memory. As shown in FIG. 6, a display means 106 displays on a display screen 26 108 a cursor 110, which is controlled by the pointing device 96. The display 27 means 106 may be any one of a variety of known display systems, such as a 28 video (CRT) display monitor or a liquid crystal display. Future display devices 29 such as E-paper, rolled screen and other display devices such as direct retina projection, direct brain stimulation means, and means for 3D representation are 31 also considered as appropriate display devices. The SMLOI can also use a 1 gaming console, a portable data assistant (PDA), a portable digital music player 2 or a wireless phone as a computer system.
3 [084] The pointing device 110 of the present invention may be substantially 4 identical to the cursor control means shown in U.S. Pat. No. Reissue 32,632.
However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many other types of 6 cursor control means may be utilized, such as graphic tablets, keyboard, touch 7 tablets, trackballs, pen input mechanisms, touch screens, game controller for 8 game console, etc. Indeed, any device capable of indicating x-y locations and 9 capable of controlling a cursor on a display means of the computerized system may be utilized in the present SMLOI as a pointing device. This includes the 11 "target point" illustratively located in the center of the display means in action 12 video games.
13 [085] The pointing device, such as a mouse 96 will often include a signal 14 generation means that typically includes a switch connected to a button 97. A
user presses the button 97 to send one signal to the computer and releases the 16 button to send another signal to the computer. Other signal generation means, as 17 is well known in the art, may be used such as using certain keys on a keyboard 18 94 or using a pen input device which positions a cursor and, by pressing the pen's 19 tip against the display screen, selects the item pointed to/pressed at on the display screen.
21 [086] Other kind of devices can be utilized as pointing devices and can also work 22 to indicate x-y and x-y-z locations if the display device allows the user to perceive 23 a third dimension. Game pad, tactile glove, voice activation and other kind of 24 pointing devices means are considered as appropriate pointing devices and are within the scope of the present invention.
26 [087] Entering a document, which can be any kind of digitized information, can 27 be made in more than one way, through at least one action on the computer 28 system. One way is as the user is working on a document through an application 29 software to click on the designated SMLOI icon located in typical windows-like operating system in the "task bar" or "status bar". One alternate way in a typical 31 windows-like operating system is to drag a document (opened or not) on the 1 SMLOI icon on the "desktop" and drop it. One other alternate way is for the user 2 to consider his/her SMLOI as a printer, and do a print-to-the-SMLOI
command.
3 One other alternative way could be for the user to consider his/her SMLOI as a 4 drive, and do a save-under-the-SMLOI command. The SMLOI icon can sit in the "dock" in an Apple-computer-like environment. The SMLOI can also have 6 embedded functions in other applications that automatically achieve the same 7 actions or tasks.
8 [088] In the SMLOI, the management of the computer memory space allocation 9 can be handled by the SMLOI. FIG. 7 shows a block-diagram of such a handling from the SMLOI. The document 102 is linked to the characteristics (or attributes) 11 117 and stored 109 under the SMLOI. The SMLOI can generate a standard file 12 114 on the storage means 86. The SMLOI could provide the added benefit of 13 automatically encoding and/or encrypting all files and illustratively generate a 14 unique or multiple ".SMLOI" type files 115 making their access without the SMLOI
impossible, thus increasing security.
16 [089] All existing documents or other data in a computer system directory can be 17 entered in the SMLOI as the SMLOI is installed on the computer. All existing files 18 found on different memory devices and storage devices such as a floppy disk, a 19 hard drive, magnetic tape, optical drive, RAM, Flash memory, DVD, CD-ROM, USB key or other memory support can be entered as SMLOI elements as a result 21 of a single enter-in-SMLOI command. All incoming e-mails and their attached files 22 can be entered in the SMLOI as a result of the choice of such a default mode in 23 the SMLOI setup options. It is understood all technologies available for wireless 24 data transfer are encompassed by the present invention. Illustratively, the information elements, the axis, the files associated with the information elements 26 and all other data related to the SMLOI can be wirelessly transferred using Wi-Fi 27 networks, cellular phone lines, microwaves, AM and FM band, satellites-based 28 networks and other means for transferring data without physical wires.
29 [090] The SMLOI reduces the number of times a document file has to be saved in the computer memory means. FIG. 8 shows a block-diagram of a prior art 31 system, where a document 112 gets linked to four different subjects or topics, 1 namely A, B, C and D. This is accomplished by filing copies of the document into 2 four different directories 120, occupying four locations 121 in the computer's 3 memory and four times the memory space. FIG. 9 presents a block-diagram of 4 the SMLOI where a document 112 is singly stored in the computer's memory (through the operating system (OS) or SMLOI) and entered in the SMLOI. The 6 document is then attributed related attributes/characteristics. The only memory 7 spaces occupied are then for the document itself 124, and its SMLOI-only 8 information 126, respectively.
9 [091] FIG. 10 shows a block-diagram of the system levels. Level zero corresponds to the level without the SMLOI. Level one 130 is attained through 11 installation of the SMLOI. Level one 130 allows the SMLOI to record a document 12 with minimum interaction with the user. Level one 130 considers the primary 13 insertion 133 as a "drag and drop" like means action from the user. The SMLOI
14 automatically records the information linked to the document 112 such as (but not limited to) the file format 135, the time the insertion in the SMLOI was made, and 16 the size of the file. These characteristics are considered as intrinsic 17 characteristics 136 because they only ask for the insertion action from the user.
18 [092] Level two 131, as presented on FIG. 10, is the same as level one 130 with 19 the addition of extrinsic characteristics 138. Extrinsic attributes/characteristics 138 correspond to the information known by the user that helps with understanding 21 the meaning and the relation of the document 112, to that which it relates, and all 22 other information that can assist with understanding the value of the document 23 112. Simply, each document has its own unique extrinsic 24 attributes/characteristics. The addition of the extrinsic attributes/characteristics requires more actions from the user. As such, level two 131 is considered a 26 secondary insertion 140 because it can be done at a different time from the 27 primary insertion 133 in the SMLOI. Level two 131 also allows the user to modify 28 intrinsic characteristics 141. Level one 130 and level two 131 do not alter the 29 document in the SMLOI itself.
[093] Level three 132 brings the user to a level where the document may be 31 modified in the SMLOI. Annotations 142 can be made by the user in order to add 1 more meaning to the document already entered in the SMLOI. The annotation, 2 namely a layer 143, can be considered as a distinct document. FIG. 11 shows an 3 annotation 142 on which the user can chose to merge 146 the layer 143 so it will 4 become an assembly 144. An assembly 144 is an independent document.
Actions on documents through application software can be monitored by the 6 SMLOI and altered documents being saved and entered automatically as new 7 annotations in the SMLOI as a level one 130 insertion.
8 [094] If source file associated to an information element in an axis of the SMLOI
9 is moved to another location the SMLOI follows the movement of the source file and automatically creates a link between the new location and the information 11 element to which the source file relates to keep the SMLOI's database up to date.
12 [095] In order to increase the efficiency of the SMLOI, computer peripherals that 13 are well known in the art such as printers, scanners, or safety systems such as 14 the ones used for biometrics recognition of the user can be under direct control of the SMLOI. The SMLOI can also rely on the operating system (OS) to accomplish 16 these tasks. To further increase the efficiency of the SMLOI without requiring too 17 much of the user, links between the SMLOI and certain application software for 18 functions such as e-mail, agenda/schedule or network access may also be 19 provided.
[096] In order to capture ongoing audio stream media or video stream media, a 21 memory buffer allows the user to constantly record information so the user can 22 keep information before he/she gives the recording order. The memory buffer 23 continuously records the streaming media that was seen and/or heard by the 24 user. The buffer has a user's specified time length and eliminates old data to record new data unless the user has instructed the system to keep what has been 26 recorder in the memory. Useful data is then kept in another memory location for 27 further consultation.

29 The information element [097] Each document, music album, music track, picture, code, voice mail, e-31 mail, copy of a webpage, E-book, video and other formats of information 1 managed by the SMLOI is called an "information element" and is referred to as 2 types of information. Most of them are files one can save on a computer's 3 memory. Illustratively, a file containing a single music track (illustratively data type 4 1) could be juxtaposed in the SMLOI to a PDF document (illustratively data type 2), then a complete music album (illustratively data type 3) and followed by a text 6 document (illustratively data type 4). A document, any information, or any other 7 kind of data recorded in the SMLOI is illustratively represented using a "unified 8 format". Even if a "unified format" is desirable the SMLOI is not limited to use a 9 "unified format". Many different formats can cooperate in the SMLOI, each having its own visual appearances. One of the goals of a unified format is to provide an 11 easy and constant manner of presenting various documents or data, using the 12 same pattern. An information element can also be created by direct writing by the 13 user inside the SMLOI using any mean like a keyboard, a touch screen, voice or 14 image recordation or a pen-pointing device. An information element generally presents an image of the information, the multiple characteristics linked to the 16 inserted document, and other information related to document and to the SMLOI.
17 The information element presents either an image of the document or the real 18 document itself. The user can access the real document using the application 19 program on the computer system directly through its information element.
[098] Each information element is composed by a document and by "areas".
The 21 "areas" are presenting, in a standardized manner, the information related to the 22 document in order to give the user an instantaneous overview of what is related 23 to a given document. The areas are distinct for every information element and are 24 illustratively superposed on the related document thus providing an intuitive graphical assembly while letting the underneath document image appear in order 26 to allow the user to see the complete document. The areas are also utilized to 27 manipulate the SMLOI functionalities and are considered as a specific interface 28 for each information element in the SMLOI. The SMLOI then provides a global 29 interface acting on many information elements and multiple specific interfaces respectively acting on their associated information element.

1 [099] FIG. 12 shows a complete information element 150 with its proposed 2 unified representation. The information element's image 154 is completed by an 3 information area 156, an anterior assemblies area 158, an intra-document multi-4 page area 160 and an ulterior assemblies information area 162.
Alternatively, the anterior and ulterior assemblies information areas can be located at the 6 information element bottom 163.
7 [0100] The information area 156 is itself divided between a date of entry sub-area 8 165, an event-task-action sub-area 166, a information element characterization 9 attributes sub-area 167, a hyperlink sub-area 168 and an entry sequence number sub-area 169. The information area 156 as presented by FIG. 12 is partially 11 superposed on the document so it is easy to see which area is related to a 12 specific document.
13 [0101] The date of entry sub-area 165 indicates the moment where the 14 information element was inserted in the SMLOI. Generally the user keeps the entry date generated automatically by the SMLOI but it is possible for the user to 16 voluntarily modify the date of entry. The date of entry can be modified if the user 17 wants the information element to appear in the SMLOI at a different sequential 18 order. If the date of entry is modified, the original date of entry is preferably kept 19 by the SMLOI. The information element that has multiple dates of entry can be seen at multiple places in the sequential order of the SMLOI.
21 [0102] FIG. 12 shows the event-task-action sub-area 166. This sub-area has the 22 specific role to provide all kind of time-related information to the SMLOI user.
23 Time-related information includes meetings, tasks, alarms, status (in force, 24 expired or pending in the case of a patent document), reminders, or the like.
Icons and text are mixed to give a visual effect in addition to sounds that attract 26 the user's attention. The background color of the event-task-action sub-area can 27 change to give the user further visual indications. For instance, green could mean 28 that everything related to that information element is completed, while yellow 29 could mean that something is currently ongoing and red that something is late or past-due. Flashing background color may also have a specific meaning.
Selection 31 of this sub-area 166 or selection of the text/icon using the pointing device acts on 1 specific functions as the creation or the modification of a task, an event, or an 2 alarm. The information contained in this sub-area may also generate a to-do list 3 or be fully integrated with the agenda. The colors or other indications related to 4 the event-task-action sub-area 166 can be used to, illustratively, completely fill the information element to provide a high level view of the status of any time 6 related information noted above. These information-elements-presenting-7 reduced-content are helpful to abstract a portion of the content to focus the 8 attention of the SMLOI user to some more important meaning carried by the 9 information elements.
[0103] The characterization attributes sub-area 167 as shown in FIG. 12 presents 11 intrinsic (metadata) and extrinsic characteristics that provide the relationship 12 meaning related to each information element according to the SMLOI user.
Each 13 information element and each characterization attribute have their own distinct 14 meaning (i.e. either the information element or the characterization attribute, when taken separately, means something). The characterization attributes can be 16 categories, information element types, status, specific sequences illustratively 17 according to time of entry in the SMLOI, last time printed, last time read, last time 18 selected, alphabetical order, types of songs, length of songs or statistic results; it 19 is in fact any means that gives order or additional meaning to contextualize the information elements. The user can have its own characterization attributes and 21 can have characterization attributes that are shared by a group of SMLOI
users.
22 Each characterization attribute selected by the user to be linked with the 23 information element will be presented in this sub-area 167. The visual 24 presentation of each characterization attribute will preferably be in the form of a button or an icon so the SMLOI user can easily select anyone of them individually 26 or in group with the pointing device. No characterization attribute can appear 27 associated with a information element meaning there is only one information 28 attribute associated (or selectable by the user). In this case, selection of the 29 information element itself has the effect of selecting the only characterization attribute. The later action will allow the user to generate relative vectors that will 31 be further explained in this description. The visual aspect of the selected 1 characterization attributes will change so the user will easily know which 2 characterization attribute has been selected. The background color of the sub-3 area 167 can change to give the user further visual indications. The order in 4 which the characterization attributes are presented in the sub-area is set according to the user preferences. Statistical organization of attributes can be 6 performed by the SMLOI. Favorite or "most often used attribute" can remain, to 7 the user's preference, on top of the list. Alphabetical ordering of the attributes is 8 also possible. Automatic creation of attributes cluster according to occurrence 9 statistical order or any desired relationship can be performed by the SMLOI. The user can be offered first the attributes he is the most likely to select.
11 [0104] The hyperlink sub-area 168 as shown in FIG. 12 contains external 12 hyperlinks and internal hyperlinks. External hyperlinks are generally of two types, 13 internet related hyperlinks and other users' SMLOI direct access.
Internal 14 hyperlinks are generally direct links to other information elements in the SMLOI of the same user. This has the purpose to give direct access to the information 16 element references so the user can have a quick overview of the links to the 17 information element he or she is visualizing.
18 [0105] The entry sequence number sub-area 169 as shown in FIG. 12 presents a 19 sequential number that indicates the sequence in which the information elements are entered in the SMLOI. The entry sequence number helps the user to have an 21 intuitive way of classifying the information element. The entry sequence numbers 22 are hyperlinks in the SMLOI so it is possible for the user to use them to draw 23 quick access path between different information elements in the SMLOI.
The 24 entry sequence number can be used as hyperlinks between multiple distinct SMLOI thereby giving direct access to other users information elements using the 26 same intuitive method; although, when a user has another user entry sequence 27 number in its SMLOI, this entry sequence number will be preceded by the other 28 SMLOI user number.
29 [0106] FIG. 12 also shows the anterior assemblies area 158. This area gives the user a direct view of the anterior assemblies, versions, or annotations of the 31 visualized information element according to the time vector 32. The user can 1 directly access another information element assembly by selecting the desired 2 assembly in the anterior assemblies area 158.
3 [0107] FIG. 12 shows the ulterior assemblies area 162. This area gives the user a 4 direct view of the ulterior assemblies, versions, or annotations of the visualized information element according to the time vector 32. The user can directly access 6 another information element assembly by selecting the desired assembly in the 7 ulterior assemblies area 162.
8 [0108] FIG. 12 also presents an alternate way for presenting the anterior and 9 ulterior assemblies. The alternate anterior and ulterior assembly area presents various assemblies, versions, or annotations, according to the time 11 vector 32. The current information element 150, in FIG. 12, is also presented in 12 the anterior and ulterior assembly area 163 as the assembly at location 170.
13 Variation in the size of the presented assembly helps the user to perceive the 14 closest assembly from the currently visualized information element 150, 170.
[0109] The multi-pages document area 160 as shown by FIG. 12 presents to the 16 user a few other pages from the information element 150 if the information 17 element 150 includes more than one page. If the information element 150 18 includes for instance 5 pages, the multi-pages document area 160 will present the 19 four that are not shown in the document image 154. The user can select them if he or she wants to have a bigger picture of the desired page. If the number of 21 pages is larger than the space available arrows 171, 172 will indicate that there is 22 more pages to see so the user can scroll up or down to visualize them.
23 [0110] FIG. 13a presents an information element 150 with its information area 24 156. The date of entry area 165 generated by the SMLOI is applied to the information element in FIG. 13b. The date the information element is entered in 26 the SMLOI can be seen in its date of entry area 165. The background color of the 27 date of entry area can change to give the user further visual indications. Selection 28 of this sub-area using the pointing device acts on specific functions.
29 [0111] When the user inserts a document in the SMLOI he or she can select the appropriate characterization attributes. FIG. 14 presents a means to select the 31 appropriate characterization attributes for an information element 150.
Entry 1 window 174 is used for the display of the intrinsic and extrinsic characterization 2 attributes. FIG. 14 also presents, for instance, only extrinsic characterization 3 attributes. When the user clicks on the characterization attribute sub-area 167, 4 the information element characterization entry window 174 opens, allowing the user to add, modify, or delete information element characterization attributes 6 while getting access to his/her list of "favorites" characterization attributes. The 7 user can either type in a new 176 characterization attribute or click on the 8 proposed attribute or click on the arrow to have the characterization attribute list 9 appear on a specific topic. Picking one with a pointing device from the list will make it appear with a button in the characterization attribute sub-area. To 11 increase the first-glance impact, symbols and colors are added to the 12 characterization attribute sub-area 167 as well.
13 [0112] In the event of a subsequent alteration of these characterization attributes, 14 a trace can be kept of both the change details and the original information. Not all extrinsic characteristic attributes need to be typed in each time. That is, user 16 should be able to build his/her list of favorites, and to select from it. The most 17 frequently characterization attribute can be displayed automatically at the top of 18 the list by the SMLOI. The user is also able to link an information element to a 19 task he or she has to perform or to an event, such as a meeting minutes being linked to the agenda. These are statutory characterization attributes.
21 [0113] The SMLOI provides a unified format for audio and video documents. FIG.
22 15 shows an information element 150 that is a unified format representation of an 23 audio document with its title 180, duration 181, and audio symbol 182.
24 [0114] FIG. 16 shows a dynamic layer over the unified format representation of an audio document. The title 180 and symbol 182 are part of the basic audio 26 information element 150. Dialog box 185 is part of the layer and allows the 27 commentaries to be displayed/sounded as the basic audio information element is 28 displayed. The display bar 187 gives an idea to the SMLOI user on the position of 29 the audio listening. The position indicator 189 moves from left to right as the video document is played in typical media player fashion; using the pointing device, the 31 user can drag this position indicator 189 to the left or the right, and resume 1 listening to the document at another point. The musical symbol 190 in FIG. 16 is 2 the indicator of additional audio comments added to a layer over the audio 3 information element 150. The triangular symbol 192 is (for instance) an indicator 4 of a written comment added to a layer over the audio document and shown at a specific time. The camera symbol 194 is an indicator of a video comment added 6 to a layer over the audio document. A duration indicator shows up when the user 7 points the pointing device to one of the comment indicators and displays in the 8 window 185 the time at which the comment has been inserted over the total 9 duration of the original information element.
[0115] In FIG. 16 are buttons 194 typical of media player and are pause, stop, 11 play, fast reverse, and fast forward, respectively, and are, in addition, commands 12 for the displaying/activating the comments. Comment window 185 shows the 13 written and video comments as their insertion point is reached while the 14 document is played or as the user clicks on the related indicator. If so desired by the user, the document can be automatically stopped from playing momentarily 16 as comments 192, 195 and 190 are "reached".
17 [0116] FIG. 17 shows an information element 150 that is a unified format 18 representation of a video document with its title 180, duration 181, video symbol 19 196 and projection window 198 that is used for displaying the video information element 150 of FIG. 17. FIG. 18 shows an assembly built from the addition of a 21 dynamic layer over the unified format representation of a video document. The 22 title 180 and symbol 196 are part of the basic information element and are visible 23 through the clear substrate of the layer. The functions are generally the same as 24 the ones presented previously for an audio document in FIG. 16 [0117] FIG. 19a shows an information element where image 200 is the actual 26 picture of a web page as an information element in the SMLOI. The user may 27 either copy information as presented by FIG. 19a into the SMLOI or just writes a 28 hyperlink to reach the information as in FIG. 19b. FIG. 19b shows an alternative 29 representation of the same element with only the symbol 198 on the center of the page and the web address (URL) 199.

1 [0118] Numerous software applications are available to help users keep track of 2 their schedules and of the tasks they need to accomplish. The tasks of the user 3 can be displayed as information elements in the SMLOI, and be graphically 4 recognizable within the SMLOI. Tasks as information elements can be associated with related sub-space (item 166 in FIG. 12) and linked to appropriate 6 characterization attributes. Color and other types of coding are part of the unified 7 format representation of such an information element to graphically inform the 8 user of the status of a given task as previously described. The appropriate sub-9 area will display codes related to the task as well as the due date characterization attribute. Events from the agenda (such as meeting) or not (such as voice 11 messages or conversations) can be displayed as information elements, and be 12 graphically recognized as such within the SMLOI. Details of the event such as 13 date, time or location are accessible directly form the information element. The 14 user can graphically visualize linked tasks (such as preparation for meeting or an action resulting from a voice mail) as well as linked information element (such as 16 a list of documents he or she may need to recover to go to a given meeting). The 17 user is able to visualize linked tasks graphically, as well as linked elements of 18 information (such as a list of document he or she may need to recover as part of 19 the task). The user can create work lists, prioritized or not, from the tasks inserted in the SMLOI.
21 [0119] Information elements can be linked to individuals (such as a list of 22 participants present at a meeting where a given report has been distributed).
23 Such a link can be established by 1) entering the event as an information 24 element, with its participants as characterization attributes as well as indicating another element (the report) as an hyperlink and 2) by asking on that information 26 element or on the areas of the information element to visualize the linked 27 elements, which would then show the event among other information elements on 28 the relative representation vector, which means the second dimension that will be 29 explained later in details.
[0120] For an information element of an event entered in the SMLOI, the statutory 31 sub-area would become the event sub-area by displaying codes such as 1 "preparatory task to be done", "past event" or "event to come", etc... A
direct link 2 to another information element can be included in the characterization attribute 3 sub-area or in the hyperlink sub-area.
4 [0121] The SMLOI can display documents that were meant to be printed on paper formats different than the user-specified default format ("letter" or "A4"
paper size 6 for example). FIG. 20 shows an example of such an odd-sized document, where 7 the proportions of the image are similar to the ones of the real document. Such an 8 approach could, however, prove to be rather inconvenient if more than one 9 element is to be viewed at the same time. It then may be desirable that all the information elements be displayed within a common-size "sheet size". FIG. 21 11 shows such an arrangement, where the image 202 of the document and a label 12 203 indicates the true size of the document. The information element "envelope"
13 would then always be the same for "letter" paper size proportions.
14 [0122] The user can keep track, via his/her SMLOI, of all of his/her information elements, even if they are not under an electronic format. A numbering system for 16 those external reference materials may be created and a short comment for each '17 may be written. FIG. 22 shows a unified format representation for an information 18 element linked to an external reference material where a symbol 205 used to 19 designate such external reference material. A title 206 given to the document by the user, a label 207 showing the number of the document as per the user's 21 numbering system, and the location 208 where the actual document is physically 22 kept may also be implemented.
23 [0123] Some information elements collected by a user can be made available for 24 viewing by others as a means to stimulate creativity. For instance, interesting articles could be sent to a "pool" and available for browsing by other SMLOI
users 26 or be sent one at a time at a specific rate through e-mail to selected SMLOI
27 users. A user may also choose to have old clippings sent to him/herself after a 28 certain delay to refresh his/her own memory. Random order element visualization 29 is also an option. Such elements could be sent through e-mails or be used as the "desktop wallpaper of the day", the "screensaver of the day", or even be displayed 31 in SMLOI as "publicity stripes".

1 [0124] The SMLOI user can select the "SMLOI web site" attribute. By doing so, 2 the user may build a "SMLOI web site" with the selected information element. The 3 user website will present the selected information elements in a web page for 4 others to visualize the information elements on the Internet using an SMLOI
browser "plug-in". This way, the SMLOI user can share to everyone on the 6 internet the selected information elements without any complicated task.
The 7 other SMLOI functions that will be further described are also enabled within a 8 browser plug-in.
9 [0125] The SMLOI includes a "collection tool" allowing for easy gathering and organizing of a series of information elements. Options for display are also 11 offered to the user such as a formal portfolio, scrap book, logbook, notebook, or 12 slide show. These collections may be sent to other SMLOI users, not as memory-13 consuming-bunch of files, but rather as a list of links and punctual access rights.
14 [0126] The SMLOI has an enabled collection process. For instance, five elements are selected by the SMLOI user who then creates a collection therefrom. The 16 collection then becomes an element which, among its attributes, has the intrinsic 17 characterization attribute "collection" and is inserted in the SMLOI.
The user can 18 then use the collection in many ways. For example, the user may send access 19 rights to another user or do a full or partial print of the information elements. The user could also visualize or print a list of the information elements contained in 21 the collection or create a slide show of the information elements that could be 22 sent or become presentation material.
23 [0127] It may also be desirable for the SMLOI to narrow the gap between the 24 electronic data management and the more traditional handwritten information.
This may be accomplished with the SMLOI through the integration of handwriting 26 recognition, applicable software, and electronic signature capability.
This may 27 also be accomplished by integrating in the SMLOI the capability of generating 28 encoded note-taking material and properly filing the digitized hand written 29 material. A purpose-printed note paper (or template) may also be generated by the SMLOI and printed. The template is then used as normal paper for taking 31 notes and is scanned for its insertion in the SMLOI. During the scanning process, I the SMLOI recognizes identification marks on the template (such as a printed bar 2 code or a hand filled boxes) and assigns intrinsic attributes accordingly as it 3 creates a new information element in the SMLOI.

.. The multi dimensional representation 6 [0128] In order for a user to keep track of the sequence in which the information 7 elements are related to each other, the SMLOI provides a way to keep specific 8 sequences between information elements. One means of establishing such a 9 sequence is by representing the entry of an information element. The SMLOI is also providing an entry sequence number to keep the information elements in the 11 order that they have been entered. FIG. 23 shows an element 150 that is added 12 to a pile of elements 210 where the entry sequential number for the first element 13 212 entered has number one and the last, "n". The new element 214 added then 14 gets the sequential entry number "n+1".
[0129] The invention provides a way to see part of a sequence through preceding 16 and following information elements. For example, FIG. 24 illustrates that the 17 information elements 150 are placed side by side and in the order that they had 18 been entered. The last information element added to the sequence would be the 19 one at the extreme right 216 according to the time vector 32. FIG. 25 shows another way of viewing the sequence. The information elements 150 are placed 21 side by side and are rolled in that order on a roll 218 still according to the time 22 vector 32.
23 [0130] The time vector 32 usually represents the absolute chronological order that 24 is applied on information element vectors whether they are including all the information elements 150 or only a portion of them. Absolute information element 26 vectors and relative information element vectors are then linked to a time vector 27 32. The time vector 32 sequence can be replaced by a specific sequence vector 28 that is not necessarily related to time. In that order, only the sequential aspect of 29 the time vector 32 would be kept and applied with some other consideration, like statistical considerations, to a specific sequence. Hence, an information element 31 vector can be related to the number of times an information element has been 1 selected. That is, the information element vector 32 presents the information 2 elements in a incremental order. The information element vector 32 can also be 3 generated ascendingly or descendingly considering the memory size of the 4 information elements 150. The information element vector may also present the information elements 150 based on the number of characterization attributes 6 applied to each information element.
7 [0131] The spreading-the-information-elements exercise, shown on FIG.
24 and 8 FIG. 25, directionally towards the right may also be done in any direction. The 9 display of the information elements in such a manner creates an information element vector allowing the user to visualize the information elements 150 11 entered as well as the absolute sequence into which entry has been done.
12 [0132] The system user can introduce "breaks" and "bookmarks" in the 13 information element vectors to have reference points within the sequence of 14 information element entry. FIG. 26 shows such an implementation of bookmarks 220, 224 where, in that case, the bookmarks are relative to a period of time.
For 16 instance, two information elements 150 have been entered during the period P
17 222 which is delineated by bookmarks 220 and 224. The bookmarks may also be 18 specifically placed by the user as period markers as shown in FIG. 26 and/or 19 automatically by the SMLOI at every period of time and/or in any user-defined manner.
21 [0133] FIG. 27 shows a bi-dimensional information element vector disposition 22 where all the information elements 150 from the user's SMLOI are represented 23 along a first (horizontal) vector 230, where the most recent is shown on the right 24 side according to the time vector 32. Information element vector 230 is the first, or absolute, information element vector in the sense that all information elements 26 150 are present on the vector 230 (although a subset of all information elements 27 can form vector 230). The first vector is illustratively horizontally disposed but a 28 person skilled in the art would appreciate a different position is encompassed by 29 the present patent application.
[0134] A second information element vector 232, that can be a subset of the first 31 information element vector 230, is graphically represented, non parallel to, or 1 intersecting the first information element vector 230. The second information 2 element vector 232 is created when a desired characterization attribute, 3 illustratively the "E' characterization attribute 234, is selected by the SMLOI user 4 on at least one information element 246 from the first information element vector 230. The selection of the "E' characterization attribute 234 might automatically 6 create the second information element vector 232. Illustratively, the selection of 7 the desired "E' characterization attribute can be achieved by pressing a button 8 "E' 234 on the desired information element 246. The information element 246 can 9 also be automatically selected when the characterization attribute "E' 234 is selected without any other action. Conversely, if one characterization attribute, for 11 instance the information attribute "E' 234, is primarily associated with desired 12 information element 246 then selecting the desired information element 246 itself 13 would automatically use the information attribute "E" 234 to generate the second 14 information element vector 232 based on information attribute "E' 234. A
single information attribute can be blindly associated to its related information element.
16 The first information element can become invisible when the second information 17 element vector becomes visible on the display device.
18 [0135] The second information element vector 232 is generated by the SMLOI at 19 a different angle (illustratively at a 900 angle from the absolute vector 230, on a 2D display) or on a different plane than the first information element vector 21 using the selected information element 246 as a reference (that is illustratively the 22 intersection information element between the two vectors as appreciated on 23 Figure 51). On the second information element vector 232 are shown only the 24 information elements, from the first information element vector, commonly sharing the "E' characterization attribute 234 (illustratively visually presented in the 26 characterization attribute sub-area). The second information element vector 230 27 could also present a set of other information elements not present in the first 28 information element vector 230 but related to the selected desired information 29 element 246. The most recent information elements 150 is being shown at the upper end of the information element vector 232 according to the relative time 31 vector 236. As a result, the information element vector 232 is built according to a 1 pre-selected order e.g. in the present situation it is illustratively a chronological 2 order.
3 [0136] There is no requirement to keep visible the information element vector 230 4 when the information element vector 232 is created and appears on the display.
In this situation, the information element vector 232 will be positioned according 6 to the position of the information element vector 230 before it disappeared from 7 the display.
8 [0137] Information elements 238 and 240 are actually the unified format 9 representation of the same repeated information element 240 because it appears in both the absolute (or first) information element vector 230 and the second 11 information element vector 232 sorting the "E' characterization attribute 234. The 12 duplicated information elements appear on the second information element vector 13 232 at their respective chronological positions. This is also true for elements 242 14 and 244. The generation of the second information element vector 232 can also be made according to the combinative logic equation of multiple characterization 16 attributes (for instance: "A" AND ("B" OR "E')).
17 [0138] In the event only one characterization attribute is intended to be selectable 18 from an information element the selection of the information element itself can 19 automatically select the single selectable information attribute. The visual aspect of the information element could then not show the potential characterization 21 attribute to simplify the amount of visual data associated to the information 22 element. For instance, selecting a music album on a first vector would lead to 23 generate a second vector displaying the songs contained in the album if the only 24 characterization attribute of the album is "songs in the album". If the characterization attribute is associated to more than one type of information 26 elements (i.e. songs and pictures for instance) the selection of the album would 27 generate a second vector displaying the songs and the pictures associated with 28 the album.
29 [0139] The absolute and relative information element vectors 230 and 232 in FIG.
27 illustratively create a plane (accordingly, they are co-planar but, as it will be 31 explained later, they could also intersect on distinct planes). A volume can be 1 generated depending on the number of information element vectors when depth 2 is used for a third dimension as depicted by FIG. 29. This plan, or volume if the 3 depth is used, can be considered as a vectorial space 250. The user of the 4 present system can select the vertical or the horizontal axis as default axis. Any axis in any given direction could be selected, according to the preference of the 6 user, to be the "main" axis. The default axis will be the axis presented when only 7 one axis is visible when the user logs in the SMLOI.
8 [0140] More than one relative information element vectors be generated. Each 9 relative information element vector 232 is intersecting an information element on the first information element vector 230 when the selected characterization 11 attribute appears on elements found on the absolute information element vector 12 230. As shown in FIG. 28, two additional vertical vectors 248 and 252, aligned 13 with elements 254 and 256, respectively, are provided. Other variations might be 14 appreciated by a skilled person.
[0141] FIG. 29 shows the SMLOI, now "tri-dimensional" with the addition of 16 assemblies 257, 258 and 259 (or information element versions) related to their 17 respective information elements 262, 263 and 264. The first dimension is the 18 absolute information element vector 230 according to the absolute time vector 32.
19 The second dimension is the relative information element vector 232 containing the attribute "E" 234 according to the relative time vector 236 with its intersection 21 centered on the desired information element 246 from which the characterization 22 attribute "E" is illustratively selected. The third dimension is another relative 23 information element vector relative to time vector 265 and shows the assemblies 24 relative to information elements that possess at least one assembly. The more recent information element in the latter assembly is shown on top according to the 26 time vector 256.
27 [0142] FIG. 30 shows that the system may have four dimensions. The four 28 dimensions are presented on the SMLOI where 230, 270 is the first dimension, or 29 absolute information element vector, 232, 271 is the second dimension or relative information element vector and 257, 272 is the third dimension or relative 31 information element assemblies vector. Item 273 represents the fourth 1 (illustratively) "circular" characterization attribute dimension. The characterization 2 attribute choice, in order to generate the second dimension 232, 271, is a 3 dimension that can be schematically represented as a "circular vector"
because of 4 the multiple different possible characterization attribute selection leading to various different second dimension information element vectors. This possible 6 plurality of second information element vector can be visualized as orthogonal 7 273 to the first information element vector axis 230, 270.
8 [0143] FIG. 31 shows that since there are at least as many relative information 9 element vectors 271, 275, 276 as there are characterization attributes, all the relative sequences can be represented as many rays 278 coming out of a center 11 hub 280 that is the selected information element 246 on the absolute information 12 element vector 270. The fourth dimension 273 as it appears on FIG. 31 is an 13 array 278 (or rays) of information element vectors and the selection of one 14 characterization attribute (or composition of many) dictates which relative sequence of information elements will lead to the generation of the relative 16 information element vector 232. The SMLOI user can group the information 17 elements by combination or segregation of characterization attributes.
Using 18 combinative logic, this actually would turn the fourth dimension 273 into an almost 19 infinite number of rays around the center hub 280.
[0144] Association of characterization attribute(s) with an information element, or 21 selection of characterization attribute(s), in order to generate an information 22 element vector can be made automatically by the SMLOI. Algorithms, statistics 23 and other mathematical equations are might help to choose the most applicable 24 characterization attributes for a specified information elements or group of information elements in order to create an information element vector.
26 [0145] The SMLOI also provides an intuitive and efficient system for managing 27 the user's elements of information, personal or professional in nature.
The user 28 and his or her professional information can be part of a bigger picture if he or she 29 is an employee of a corporation for example. The SMLOI user is able to visualize his/her personal and professional/corporate SMLOI (distinction coming from one 1 major attribute) at once or separately, and that that option be carried out through 2 a single command.
3 [0146] A corporation is considered a moral user of the work related information of 4 its employees. A corporation or other multi-user environment can have all its employees dealing with information elements in a similar manner for training 6 purposes, and for the preservation of the "corporate knowledge"
(structured and 7 unstructured data), and for prior art recording purposes. The "corporate 8 knowledge" is considered as a series of "parallel SMLOIs" with an SMLOI
for 9 each of its employees in a similar fashion to the previously described parallel paths for individuals. That way, some members of the corporation are able to 11 access the information in the corporation's employees SMLOI.
12 [0147] Multiple and distinct SMLOI can seamlessly be presented on a same time 13 line or axis. Personal and professional SMLOI can be presented on the same 14 time line just as if both personal and professional SMLOIs are only one single SMLOI even if they are not. They just appear to be the same for the user. All the 16 SMLOI of a corporation are similarly mixed and presented as a unique SMLOI, 17 even if in reality they are not, representing the whole corporation's SMLOI.
18 [0148] At least one member of the corporation has the "knowledge administrator"
19 status such an individual has full access to the corporate SMLOls, can forward corporate messages to employees' SMLOI, and create standardized corporate 21 characterization attributes to ensure cohesion in the filing, among other functions 22 and capabilities. Such an administrator may have a formal role in a quality-23 assured environment, such as one governed by the ISO 9000 standard or a 24 sophisticated information management analysis in order to provide an information management score that can quantitatively show the user's ability to manage its 26 information.
27 [0149] The corporate administrator can represent the corporation in an intuitive 28 manner, such as the corporation organizational chart 282 as presented in FIG. 32 29 and directly link to every corporate SMLOI in the corporation as shown on FIG.
33. FIG. 33 shows the corporate SMLOI of an employee that has the position 283 31 in the organizational chart 282. The planar representation on the organizational 1 chart is considered as the fifth dimension of the SMLOI. The organizational chart 2 for that purpose can be replaced by a grid 285 on FIG. 34 and is, to the 3 corporation user or administrator, a graphical representation of the multiple users.
4 In this case, a two-vector system, for instance "5x"287 and "5y"288 is used to "name" different SMLOI users in the corporation, using an alpha numeric format.
6 Other formats may also be implemented.
7 [0150] FIG. 34 shows the fifth-dimension grid 285 where squares are filled using 8 different patterns according to possible access. The grid of FIG. 34 is seen 9 through the eyes of a user represented by box 294 of FIG. 36. As indicated by square 292 of FIG. 34, total access is given at that position of the grid.
Hatched 11 squares as in box 296 indicate the SMLOI of fellow employees to which the user 12 294 (FIG. 36) has full access (professional/corporate side only). Cross-hatched 13 squares in box 297 indicate an SMLOI where punctual or microscopic access has 14 been granted to user 294 (of box 292) allowing visualization of selected elements only. Smaller cross-hatched squares as in box 298 indicate the SMLOI to which 16 the user of box 292 has absolutely no access to.
17 [0151] FIG. 35 shows the multi-dimensional graphic user interface of an employee 18 of the corporation SMLOI where dimension one 270, dimension two 271, 19 dimension three 272, and dimension four 273, as presciently described, can be seen. Dimension five 287, 288 may also be added. The darkened square contour 21 of the grid 283 at the position "B2" indicates that the SMLOI 290 is the SMLOI of 22 the "B2" employee.
23 [0152] An employee may allow access to his or her SMLOI, in part or in whole, to 24 another employee or user. The user has only access to a portion of its SMLOI
(such as the professional part) while maintaining the privacy of the remaining 26 portion (such as the personal part).
27 [0153] FIG. 37 presents the absolute information element vector of the SMLOI of 28 a user "A" where it is possible to see that information elements 315 and 316 have 29 no access restriction. Information elements 309, 310 and 311 can be locked so the user can block modification access to them. The open padlock icon 313 is 31 representing that access is open although it can be locked. The lock 314 on 1 information element 312 indicates the access is denied (which is a default mode 2 for personal information elements).
3 [0154] FIG. 38 shows the absolute information element vector of the SMLOI of a 4 user "A", as seen through the eyes of a user "B", where "B" has only access to some information elements. Items that have a dark hatch filling 300, 301, 302, 6 303 are information elements for which access has been denied to "B"
(because 7 of the professional/personal firewall and/or specific access restrictions for a given 8 element). Items 304, 305, with no hatch filling, are seen as they would be through 9 the eyes of a user "A", the SMLOI owner. These information elements can be seen by the user "B" through his/her SMLOI.
11 [0155] For privacy reasons it is desirable that non-accessible elements, or their 12 quantity be non-visible to other users. FIG. 39 shows the same SMLOI, as seen 13 through the eyes of user "B", where all non-accessible elements are hidden, and 14 space between accessible elements is reduced. For similar reasons, some parts of the seeable information elements, such as entry sequence numbers, may be 16 hidden as well. Accessible information elements vector 320 all have their entry 17 number "blacked out" so that neither the number of elements in the SMLOI
or 18 their relative position in the sequence can be known of user "B".
19 [0156] FIG. 40 shows information element vectors of the SMLOI of one user "A"
where, the user has granted access to information elements 324, 325, 326, 327 21 to user "B" while refusing him/her access to elements 328, 329, 330, 331.
22 [0157] FIG. 41 shows an absolute information element vector, from the SMLOI of 23 a user "A", from which information elements 338 and 339 are locked so they 24 cannot appear in the "B" user's SMLOI. FIG. 42 shows the same SMLOI, as viewed through the "eyes" (and SMLOI) of user "B". Information elements are 26 hidden and replaced by one empty space 342 having a size that is irrelevant of 27 the number of hidden information elements.

29 The illustrated interface [0158] One proposed SMLOI interface using a typical windows-like environment 31 main screen is shown in FIG. 43 although, the SMLOI can also be voice 1 controlled. Item 450 is the operating system's bar displaying SMLOI
details such 2 as version 454 and user ID 456 (user name and user number). Item 452 is the 3 menu bar of typical format and usage. Display of this item is left to the user's 4 discretion. Item 458 is the window through which the SMLOI relays most of the information to the user. This is the window where the SMLOI is displayed, is 6 known as the SMLOI window, and occupies the better part of the screen.
This 7 window completely fills the space between the menu bar 452 (if displayed) and 8 the status bar 460.
9 [0159] A typical information element 150 is shown in FIG. 43 with its date of entry sub-area 165, an event-task-action sub-area 166, an information element 11 characterization attributes sub-area 167, a hyperlink sub-area 168 and an entry 12 sequence number sub-area 169. The anterior and ulterior assemblies area 13 are also shown as is the multi-pages document area 160. Scroll down buttons 14 462 are presented on some sub-areas. Margins from the original document are also presented in FIG. 43.
16 [0160] The multi-part toolbox 466 is presented and acts on different functions 17 available depending on the actions the SMLOI user is doing. The toolbox 18 includes buttons identified by icons that allow the SMLOI user to act on selected 19 elements. In some cases the buttons may call menus or dialog boxes.
[0161] The navigation box 468 of FIG. 43 includes buttons to navigate in the 21 SMLOI. It contains all the buttons, identified by icons, to allow the user to surf or 22 navigate in his/her SMLOI. Button 470 allows movement along the absolute 23 information element vector 230 according to positive time vector 32.
Button 472 24 allows movement along the absolute information element vector 230 in the time vector 32 opposite direction. Button 474 allows movement along the relative 26 information element vector 232 according to positive time vector 236.
Button 476 27 allows movement along the relative information element vector 232 in the time 28 vector 236 opposite direction. Button 478 is for the "zoom window"
function, while 29 button 479 is for "zoom-in" and "zoom out" functions. Button 481 is the "back to the last view" function and button 483 is for "forward to the next visualized view"
31 function. These functions are similar to the "back" and "forward"
functions on a 1 web browser. Button 485 allows the SMLOI user to access his/her intra-SMLOI
2 favorites' list while button 487 allows access to his/her Internet favorites' list.
3 [0162] Button 489 allows the user to return directly to the last information element 4 entered in the SMLOI while button 491 opens a new "blank" information element in the SMLOI. This enables the user to work directly on the new information 6 element for inserting pictures or for adding text on a particular project. This is one 7 way the SMLOI can act as a logbook or notebook.
8 [0163] The communication box 495 includes a communication information window 9 497 for displaying all the information the SMLOI wants the user to know when he or she is using it. The communication information window 497 concentrates all 11 the communications in the same place; as such, it can display alarms, chat, enter 12 phone calls, instant messaging, provide an image of another person when video 13 conferencing or video phone calls. E-mail features are also presented in the 14 communication information window 497 and usual functions such as in-box, new messages, attach document to message, reply, reply to all, transfer, exchange an 16 element, sending box, sent box and contacts are available. The agenda and its 17 related functions including adding the agenda or linking an information element to 18 the agenda are also included. Both the e-mail and agenda capabilities are fully 19 integrated in the SMLOI.
[0164] FIG. 43 also illustratively shows the absolute relativisation bar 500 and the 21 relative relativisation bar 502. The purpose of these bars is to provide a broader, 22 but still limited, point of view to the SMLOI user. The user sets limit dates 504 and 23 506 for each bar so that the length of the time frame represented is customized to 24 the user's desires. Days 508, weeks 510, months 512 and years 514 are displayed time marks, illustratively as little bars (each with their own format), in 26 the relativisation bars 500, 502. The "relative" relativisation bar 502 is only visible 27 when a relative information element vector 232 (2nd dimension) is displayed.
28 Signs of different shape and colors (for instance black triangle 516) can be added 29 as bookmarks to keep trace of important information elements. A cursor (not shown) providing the actual viewing position of the SMLOI is provided so it is 31 possible to drag it to move quickly in the SMLOI.

1 [0165] The user can use its SMLOI in five distinct modes: information elements 2 consultation, information element insertion/creation, information element 3 modification, information elements list and extraction. The toolbox 466 includes 4 different functions related to those different SMLOI modes. There is, for instance, different functions related to the insertion mode: favorites (bookmark, hyperlink, 6 hyperpage), quick insertion (direct insertion without extrinsic attributes), tasks, 7 notes, events, video sequences, audio sequences, digitalization (paper, other), 8 and project creation (reports, slides presentations, collections).
9 [0166] The toolbox 466 also includes functions related to the manipulation mode.
The buttons include square manipulation tool, copy, paste, element selection, 11 annotation manipulation, hide element (by sequence of entry number, by date), 12 and search (by sequence of entry number, by characterization attributes, 13 combinative logic, by date, by contact, by key word, by document type, options).
14 There are also functions related to the extraction mode with buttons for deleting, information element collection (add element, remove element, save collection as 16 a new information element, add note in collection, print collection, present 17 collection as slides). The toolbox 466 also includes a system functions section 18 including buttons for setup (personal setup, system setup, general setup, 19 corporate administrator), "favorites" setup, authentication and signature (document authentication, electronic signature), back-up, help, screen 21 management (screen saver, wallpaper, information element presentation 22 sequence) and the like.
23 [0167] Window 458 of the SMLOI includes two buttons 503 and 509. If the user 24 clicks on the appropriate button, only the personal portion of his/her SMLOI can be visualized 503. If he/she clicks on the second button, only the 26 professional/corporate portion of his/her SMLOI can then be visualized 509.
27 Clicking on both buttons 503, 509 (might be done with or without the use of the 28 CTRL and SHIFT keys) will allow visualization of both portions of his/her SMLOI.
29 [0168] FIG. 43 shows a typical information element 150, with an information element characterization attributes sub-area 167, into which each 31 characterization attribute is actually a button 527, or selecting means, that can be 1 clicked for picking the information elements to be included in the information 2 elements of the relative vector. Selecting blank button 528 at the bottom pulls out 3 the main attributes' list for selection of the second dimension. Simple addition of 4 characterization attributes to the selection can also be achieved in a typical fashion by using the CTRL and SHIFT keys from the keyboard. The user is also 6 offered the possibility of including any given attribute in a combinative logic 7 equation for the selection of the second dimension's vector 232 (a pull-down 8 menu can appear for additions and exclusions). Such combinative logic capability 9 can, for instance, allows the user to set border dates for his/her selection of elements carrying the attribute "x", allows him/her to set border entry numbers 11 dates for his/her selection of elements carrying the attribute "y", allows him/her to 12 look for attributes common to other system (such as events) or even allow 13 element selection based on common status (such as tasks).
14 [0169] FIG. 44 shows a view of a user's SMLOI where the central information element is 520. Elements 522 and 521 are the preceding and following 16 information elements along the absolute information element vector 230, 17 respectively. Information elements 524 and 523 are the preceding and following 18 information elements along the relative information element vector 232, 19 respectively. Window 530 presents a close view of information element 520.
Window 531 presents a zoom-out view of information element 520 and shows, at 21 the same time, the preceding and the following information elements in order to 22 provide a better perspective of the visualized information element 520.
Window 23 532 is a zoom-in view of a part of information element 520 that provides the 24 possibility for the user to visualize details of the information element 520. The zoom-in and zoom-out function can show a significant number of information 26 elements to get the big picture of the information element distribution along the 27 information element vectors 230, 232 or, conversely, could show only a small 28 portion of one information element to see or work on small details.
29 [0170] The SMLOI also has a "radar screen" display format as illustratively shown by FIG. 45. The absolute relativisation bar 500 and the relative relativisation bar 31 502, as previously mentioned, have weekly time marks 510 (for instance, can be 1 by days, months or other specific time length) extended upward and to the right 2 respectively to effectively create a time grid. An absolute information element 3 vector 550 appears on the grid, and, accordingly, each of its information elements 4 appears as squares 541, 542, 543, 544. The color (and shape) of squares 541, 542, 543, 544 information elements and other visual particularities, illustratively 6 the information element may flash, be animated or have a portion showing a 7 different color or a sign that indicates something more specific about the 8 information element(s). For instance, it can show search results or information 9 elements representing tasks for which the deadline is approaching, show an action is past due, the status of the information element has changed since the 11 last time the user has logged in or simply to attract the SMLOI user's attention for 12 a predetermined reason. This can be linked to any particular area 156 related 13 aspect or any characterization attribute related to an information element. It has 14 to be noted the spacing between information elements might be constant (when the time scale varies) or varies in accordance with the time that has passed 16 between each information elements (when the time scale is fixed). The later is 17 illustratively used for representing both the absolute and the relative information 18 element vectors 550, 551. The fixed or unequal time scale can also be used when 19 not in the radar mode throughout the SMLOI. The relative information element vector 551 presents the same four information elements 542, 543, 544, 545 that 21 appear in the absolute information element vector 550 that share the same 22 selection of characterization attributes. A diagonal representation (not shown) 23 according to the two relativisation bars, referred as 500 and 502 on Figure 43 but 24 not numbered on Figure 45, time frame can be utilized as well. It also has to be noted this high level view of information elements 541, 542, 543, 544 can be used 26 outside the "radar screen" as information elements representations in the SMLOI
27 showing only a limited amount of information to help the user focuses on a limited 28 transfer of knowledge from a series of information elements. Selecting, 29 illustratively to double click an information element in its reduced visual appearance, can bring a more detailed view of the same information element, 1 show more details or trigger an action or, illustratively, open a related file in 2 another program.
3 [0171] The "radar screen" display format as shown in FIG. 45 allows the user to 4 have a meaningful overview of what is happening in its SMLOI. Colors and movements add information to the visual distribution of the schematized 6 information elements. The background is used to visualized and magnify a 7 selected portion of the SMLOI found in the "radar screen" and is represented by 8 the box 557. As an alternate way of navigating in the SMLOI, the user can drag, 9 move or resize the selection box 557 and the background view will change accordingly so that the user can visualize whatever information element is in the 11 "radar screen" selection box 557. This function acts like a magnifying glass on a 12 map. When the user is switching from the visualization of an information element 13 to the radar mode, box 557 on the radar mode will show exactly how the 14 presented information element was on the display device. Also, change in the selection box 557 will change the background view as well.
16 [0172] FIG. 46 shows the SMLOI in an alternate "radar screen" display format, 17 including the "future" area 550 that acts like an agenda. Accordingly, information 18 element 551 is a task to be done according to the time frame of the relativisation 19 bars 500 and 502. Separators 553 and 554 visually separate the past and the future and, in fact, 553 and 554 are the lines of the present and their intersection 21 point is "now". This is a way for the user to graphically represent his/her "to do"
22 list.
23 [0173] In FIG. 47 is shown the SMLOI using a web browser or a plug-in applied to 24 a standard web browser. This way, everyone using a web browser (i.e. for example Netscape TM NavigatorTM or MicrosoftTM Internet ExplorerTM) can add a 26 plug-in (or means to adapt the web browser to use, to visualize or to act on the 27 SMLOI) that allows the multi-dimensional data locating system to run on the web 28 browser. A user can access data, information elements, documents or standard 29 web pages using a web browser with the SMLOI. Non-users can visualize information, adapted web pages or other documents using a web browser with a 31 plug-in. Users can allow access to specific information element to be viewed by 1 other authorized users and non-authorized users with an appropriate web 2 browser. Is considered here a web browser any device that allows navigation on 3 the Internet. While using a web browser it is understood that the SMLOI
can be 4 web based and communication with the user is made using a network.
[0174] FIG. 47 shows the SMLOI using a web browser as a base program. Item 6 560 represents the web browser software window. Item 562 represents the web 7 browser classic tools, icons and toolbars. Item 564 represents the windows-like 8 OS task bar, item 466 represents the multi-dimensional data locating system 9 SMLOI toolbox, item 568 represents the multi-dimensional data locating system navigation toolbox, item 150 represents the information element presented in the 11 multi-dimensional data locating system inside the web browser, item 570 12 represents a selected attribute generating the second dimension in the multi-13 dimensional data locating system, item 572 represents the absolute information 14 element vector and item 574 represents the relative information element vector.
16 Story, game and simulation with the SMLOI
17 [0175] In order to add meaning to the information contained inside the SMLOI a 18 story or a "game metaphor" can be applied to the vectorial space. This would help 19 to link information elements between them to improve the user understanding. If necessary, when using a "game metaphor", a score could be calculated using 21 multiple parameters. The SMLOI can use a 3D/virtual reality environment and, to 22 some extent, turn the "chore" of SMLOI into some sort of a game; the system 23 could keep records and statistics of a user's performance as an information 24 organizer and user.
[0176] Parameters can be as simple as the time to retrieve any information 26 element, the number of elements inserted in the SMLOI per period of time, the 27 number of information elements exchanged per period of time, the average 28 number of characterization attributes applied to the information elements inserted 29 in the SMLOI or the number of information elements visualized in the SMLOI per period of time. Those examples are given to explain that certain parameters can 31 be evaluated and that a score can be attributed according to pre-established 1 standards. Statistic curves can be used to represent what is considered by an 2 individual or by a company as "information management standards".
3 [0177] The possibility is given to the user to access his/her SMLOI and some 4 SMLOI functions and tools through other computerized devices, such as a game console, an MP3 player or a PDA. In such cases, the program could be "installed"
6 by the insertion of a "game cartridge", i.e. a self-contained software/memory block 7 package, or by Internet download. FIG. 48 shows the SMLOI as seen through a 8 game console 582 and computer-controlled display 580 such as a TV
screen.
9 The actions are illustratively done using the game controller 585. FIG.
49 shows a typical game console controller. Just as with any game, the user/player can 11 attribute specific commands to most buttons and knobs. Normally the game 12 controller includes a left trigger 590, a right trigger 592, a left thumbstick 594, a 13 left directional pad 596, a white button 598, a black button 599, a "Y"
button 600, 14 a "B" button 602, a "X" button 604, a "A" button 606, a right thumbstick 608, a "back" button 610 and a "start" button 612. Multiple extension slots 615 can be 16 used for connecting additional memory or for connecting a microphone/headset 17 device. Other game controllers like the WHIM, where the user has not physical 18 connection with the computer or the game console is encompassed by the 19 present invention. Movements of the game controller influence the actions on the SMLOI.
21 [0178] For example, illustratively with a more classic game controller, the SMLOI
22 commands could be allocated as follows: the left trigger 590 to move between 23 information elements going back in time, the right trigger 592 to move between 24 information elements going forward in time, a left thumbstick 594 to move on the absolute information element vector 230 and the relative information element 26 vector 232 and to move the box 557 when in the previously described "radar 27 screen" display format. A click on the left thumbstick 594 selects the visualized 28 information element 150, the left directional pad 596 has basically the same 29 functions as the left thumbstick 594, the white button 598 inserts a new blank information element 150 ready to be written while the black button 599 brings the 31 user directly to the last information element inserted into the SMLOI.
The "Y"

1 button 600 accesses the "radar screen" display format, the "B" button 2 accesses sequentially the different modes in the SMLOI when an information 3 element is selected, the "X" button 604 selects the communication box 495 and 4 the "A" button 606 selects the toolbox 466. The right thumbstick 608 is used to move a "pan" view if no information element is selected and moves into the 6 different areas / sub-areas if an information element is selected; a click on the 7 right thumbstick 608 would select the pointed area part, the "back"
button 610 8 would be utilized just as the back button on a classic web browser and the "start"
9 button 612 would keep the same role as on a game console.
[0179] Multiple command interactions can also be described. For instance, a click 11 and hold on the left thumbstick in addition to the right/left trigger would provide a 12 zoom-in/zoom-out effect. Also, the white button 598 or the black button 599 could 13 be used in conjunction with the right or left triggers 590, 592 to provide other 14 specific commands; this could be fully customizable by the user. One of the goals of adding a "game metaphor" is to improve the user experience and to bring 16 him/her to a point where managing information is not a burden anymore but a 17 funny intuitive interesting task. One other goal is to have a score that quantify the 18 efficiency of the user information management.

Other uses of the SMLOI
21 [0180] Referring now to FIG. 50, it can be appreciated the SMLOI can become a 22 true relational search tool. Navigation in the SMLOI, beginning with an information 23 element, can move on a first information element vector until the user wants to 24 know more about a first information element encountered on the first information element vector. A characterization attribute is then selected on the first 26 information element to generate a second information element vector showing 27 information elements possessing the selected characterization attribute.
The user 28 continues the navigation on the second information element vector until the user 29 wants to know more about a second information element encountered on the second information element vector. A characterization attribute is then selected 31 from the second information element to generate a third information element 1 vector and so forth. This provides an intuitive spatial and graphical relational 2 navigation that could truly be represented on a display device.
3 [0181] FIG. 51 shows a first information element vector 230 and a second 4 information element vector 232 where the "base" intersecting element 246, possessing characterization attributes A, E and H, is duplicated. This 6 superposition of the second information element vector 232 allows the user to 7 vertically move (or navigate, or scroll) the second information element vector 232 8 while always keeping the first information element vector 230 in the line of sight at 9 the same place on the display device. This helps the user to go explore the second information element vector 232 without loosing its "base" on the first 11 information element vector 230. The second information element vector 232 is 12 illustratively superposing the first information element vector 230 in a distinct 13 plane on FIG. 51 but could perfectly be in the same plane and just curve above 14 the first information element vector 230 when it comes close to the first information element vector. One skilled in the art would easily see other variations 16 to achieve similar results.
17 [0182] The vectors in the SMLOI can be disposed on the side of the screen 18 instead of in the middle of the screen. If the user wants to see what is higher on 19 the vertical axis he scrolls the vertical vector down, thus moving the horizontal axis accordingly. The enlarged information element remaining on the screen 21 slightly moves higher to leave space (down) for positioning the horizontal vector 22 following the movement of the vertical scrolling of the vertical vector.
If the 23 scrolling continues, the information element gets bigger taking back the area left 24 unoccupied by the horizontal vector not anymore visible on the screen (because moved lower than the lowermost portion of the screen). These movements can be 26 seen as animation of the vector and the enlarged information element on the 27 screen according to the movement of the vector dictated by the SMLOI's user.
28 [0183] Referring now to FIG. 52, the positions of the first absolute information 29 element vector 230 and the second, or relative, vector 232 are disposed on the bottom-left side of the screen to maximize the useful area 752 on the screen to, 31 illustratively, present an information element in bigger format allowing to see finer 1 details. The position of information element vectors 230, 232 can move, or be 2 animated, to maximize area on the screen to see a bigger picture of an element 3 or any other information useful to the SMLOI's user. This function is depicted by 4 FIG. 52 where the information element vectors 230, 232 changed position to, respectively, reach positions 754, 756 and leaves useful area 750 for illustratively 6 visualizing an information element in greater details. These movements on the 7 vectors can be based on the navigational actions of the user in the SMLOI. For 8 instance, when the user moves along an vector searching for a particular 9 information element, it is possible he/she moves the vector thus effecting the position of the vector on the screen in order to maximize the useful area 752.
If 11 the relative information element vector 232 moves from the left side of the screen 12 to the right side of the screen, the position of the useful area 752 moves from the 13 right side of the screen to the left side of the screen to adjust with the position of 14 the vector. Room can remain for the navigation tools between the side of the screen (or any means for visualizing the axis) and vectors. Other animations, like 16 when an information element is selected to be viewed in the useful area 752 it 17 progressively moves from the vector to the useful area 752, can also be made.
18 [0184] Streamed media content can be automatically added to the SMLOI of a 19 user wanting such information to be added to his SMLOI. Newspapers, magazine, financial data, web pages, weather forecasts, and other information can be 21 streamed in the SMLOI of a user. Copyright fees can be automatically calculated 22 and billed to the SMLOI user on a timely basis. Each information element in the 23 SMLOI that is not created by the user of the SMLOI can be subject to copyright or 24 other intellectual property license. The amount due to owners of the intellectual property rights can be automatically calculated by the SMLOI and collected from 26 the SMLOI's user.
27 [0185] Blogs are well known in the art. They are generally disposed as a number 28 of sequential communications posted one on top of the other. This forms a 29 vertical "stream" of distinct communications having at least one common topic.
The blog contains a number of information elements on the form of a plurality of 31 short texts related to a particular topic. In the context of this patent application, 1 the blog can be considered a vector. It would become possible to generate 2 another vector just as previously described in this specification by selecting a 3 particular message in the blog. More precise navigation can be obtained by 4 selecting more precise blog attributes to generate more refined vectors.
[0186] Patent prior art management is a possible real life application of this 6 SMLOI. Standard patent information such as the title, the inventor's name, the 7 classification, the filing date, the priority date (if any)... Are considered intrinsic 8 attributes and can be gathered automatically using an internet crawler. Once the 9 image of each page of the patent is collected by the SMLOI, the full text in searchable format and the standard patent information are collected, extrinsic 11 information element attributes can be applied. Illustratively, all collected patents 12 appear on the absolute information element vector. The extrinsic information 13 attributes could be represented, illustratively, in the automotive field, as the 14 mechanical systems (i.e. drive, electrical, transmission, fuel, suspension, brake, hydraulic, seating....). These mechanical systems can be subdivided in more 16 refined sub-systems (i.e. suspension system could be subdivided as:
shock %
17 absorber, coil, rubber mounts, fasteners, MacPherson type suspension, double a-18 arm suspension, bumpsteer...). These extrinsic attributes can be applied when 19 patents are analyzed. This classification would rapidly provide a precise and narrow search about a specific patent using the SMLOI.
21 [0187] Each attribute can correspond to another completely different attribute 22 using a cross-reference table. A correspondence is made in the table when two 23 different attributes are related but are on different topics and are unlikely to be 24 selected together because they relate to different users but could be useful for each of them. When one attribute is selected the other will be automatically 26 selected. Other actions may be applied on the second attribute as a consequence 27 of the first attribute. One skilled in the art could make many other examples of 28 similar or related applications without departing from the scope of the SMLOI.
29 [0188] Writing directly in an empty information element (i.e. blank page) can be used as an e-mail to be sent because the e-mail messaging system is fully 31 embedded in the SMLOI. Each information element has its own little "word 1 processing" providing each information element with writing or noting capabilities 2 and therefore be a potential note or e-mail. The server setup (SMTP, POP, 3 POP3...) is embedded directly in the SMLOI. Selected information elements, 4 individually or by cluster, can directly be sent by e-mail as an e-mail with or without attachments. Embedding in the SMLOI the e-mail system procures the 6 SMLOI a seamless communication capability removing the need of having an e-7 mail system distinct from the SMLOI. In fact, the SMLOI could fully integrate all 8 functions of an operating system and completely integrate all functions of the 9 operating system (which is not really seen as useful from a user point of view if not to manage files and interconnect various third party applications).
Instant 11 messaging, video communication and the like are also intended to be part of the 12 communication system embedded in the SMLOI.
13 [0189] When inserting a batch of information elements in the SMLOI
from a 14 classic folder and subfolder classification, the classic folder classification is transferred into attributes on each information element entered in the SMLOI.
16 This provides the possibility for a user to retrieve an information element based 17 on its former location despite the information element is not really located in the 18 folder/subfolder classification.
19 [0190] The SMLOI can also be utilized with a MP3 music player to manage music, albums and songs. The round multidirectional interface of the well known iPodTM
21 is quite similar to the navigation tool of the SMLOI disclosed in the illustrative 22 embodiment. The iPod's interface manages navigation on the X (absolute) and Y
23 (relative) vectors by simply pressing the click wheel at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree, 24 by turning the click wheel the user can zoom in/out. Conversely, pressing the click wheel at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree can zoom in/out the SMLOI interface. Data 26 synchronization is automatic with the SMLOI when the iPod is connected with its 27 base computer or on any computer in the case the SMLOI is web-based. It is 28 encompassed by the present patent application to fully integrate the SMLOI to the 29 iPod's interface and possible functionalities. The SMLOI's attributes are integrated in the iPod menu. The attributes would be managed by the iPod's 31 interface just like the music menu of the iPod. Similarly, the information element = MA-00890-CA1 vectors might be moved by directly using fingers on a touch screen.

4 Uniform and non-uniform timeline [0191] Referring now to FIGs. 53 and 54, it is desirable to selectively represent 6 the information elements 150 on information element vectors 230, 232 according 7 to a non-uniform timeline (FIG. 53) and a uniform timeline (FIG. 54).
The uniform 8 timeline is graphically representing time (time scale) in a constant and linear 9 fashion on the display. The non-uniform timeline is graphically representing time (time scale) in a non-constant and non-linear fashion where time (identified as 11 timeline) can be contracted or expanded to accommodate the evenly distributed 12 graphical representation of the information elements 150 on the information 13 element vectors 230, 232. On FIGs. 53 and 54, the information element vectors 14 230, 232 are also disposed on the display offset from the center of the display to allow additional use of the display on the area not used by the information 16 element vectors 230, 232. Information element vectors 230, 232 passing through 17 the middle of the display would prevent using a big portion of the display to 18 displaying a bigger image of a specific information element (for example).
19 01921 With the non-uniform timeline, each information element 150 is disposed on its respective information element vector 230, 232, illustratively, at its insertion 21 time in the SML01. The information element 150 is located at equal distance 800 22 from the next information elements 150. This information element distribution can 23 similarly be called fixed frequency distribution or constant interval distribution or 24 anything that means the distance between two juxtaposed information elements 150 is sufficiently uniform with other intervals between other juxtaposed 26 information elements 150 disposed on their respective information element 27 vectors 230, 232 to maximize the number of information elements 150 visible on 28 the display. The time scale of the timeline is expanded or contracted to 29 accommodate the uniform distribution of the information elements 150 on their respective information element vectors 230, 232.

1 [0193] Time marks 508-identifies, either, a change of day, a change of week, a 2 change of month or a change of year. For the purpose of these explanations they 3 identify changes of days 508. That means the distance 804 between time marks 4 508 is a day, the distance 806 is the day after and the distance 808 is the other following day. The non-uniform locations of these time marks 508 on the vectors 6 230, 232 are allowing a more constant information elements 150 distribution 7 along the information element axis 230, 232.
8 [0194] On the other hand, and referring now to FIG. 54 with another illustrative 9 example having a different number of information elements 150 on the io information element vectors 230, 232, the uniformly distributed timemarks 508, 11 similarly identifying either a change of day, a change of week, a change of month 12 or a change of year, indicates that the time is uniformly distributed along 13 information element vectors 230, 232. For the purpose of this explanation lets 14 consider each equal length 810, 812, 814, 816, 818 between two time marks 508 on the information element vector 230 represent the length of one day. On the 16 first day 810, only two information elements 150 have been added in the SMLOI
17 and they proportionally appear on the uniform timeline at the particular moment of 18 the day 810 at the time they have been added in the SMLOI. A distance 19 proportional to the time between the moment both information elements have been entered in the SMLOI appears between the two information elements. Only 21 one information element has been added 150 on the second day 812, none on 22 the third day 814, four information elements 150 the fourth day 816 and so on so 23 forth. This uniform time representation allows to visualize the distribution of 24 information elements 150 along the information element vector 230. The same logic applies to the second information element vector 232.
26 [0195] One of the reasons for changing from a uniform time representation to a 27 non-uniform time representation along the information element vectors 230, 232 28 can be appreciated if, for instance, a user of the SMLOI zoom-in the interface on 29 the display to a point where only a few information elements 150 from the information element vector 230 (see FIG. 43) are visible on the display. The 31 duration of time of the information element vector 230 visible on the display is = MA-00890-CA1 1 quite limited. It would become confusing for the user to have various distances 2 between the information elements 150 when only a limited number of information 3 elements 150 can be seen. Just imagine how unpleasant it would be to navigate 4 along the information element vector 230 when the user hits a three weeks vacation period where nothing has been added in the SMLOI. A long scrolling 6 along an empty information element vector 230 would not be meaningful.
This is 7 particularly true in the case of a close zoom-in where there is not enough 8 perspective of the information element vector 230 on the display to appreciate the 9 meaning of a change in distance between two information elements 150.
Nonetheless, the time marks 508, 510, 512, 514 will identify when the user 11 change from one day to another.
12 [0196] One down fall of having a fixed distance between two juxtaposed 13 information elements 150 becomes understandable when a zoom-out is made on 14 the SMLOI and a longer duration of time is rendered on the display.
Firstly, it is not intuitive for human beings to have different visual representations of time 16 lengths having, in fact, the same duration (e.g. one day has the same duration 17 than the next day even if the number of information elements that appears in both 18 days is different). Secondly, keeping a uniform timeline allows gathering 19 additional meaning from the information elements 150 like, illustratively, the distribution of the information elements 150 on the information element vector 21 230, 232 over time.
22 [0197] The change between a non-uniform timeline and a uniform timeline 23 preferably occurs automatically depending on the duration of time of the 24 information element vectors 230, 232 that appears on the display. When the user sufficiently zoom-in the vectors 230, 232 on the display, the SMLOI will cross a 26 predetermined view size threshold and use a non-uniform timeline as opposed to 27 a zoom-out, crossing the same view size threshold, procuring a uniform timeline 28 representation of the information element vectors 230, 232 on the display device.
29 The predetermined threshold can be adjusted by the user of the SMLOI to switch from a uniform timeline to a non-uniform timeline, and vice-versa. The change 31 from one timeline to the other can be made in accordance with a desired duration 1 of time of an information element vector appearing on the display. It can also be 2 automatically performed by the SMLOI.
3 [0198] In order to improve the visual meaning associated to particular information 4 elements 150 on information element vectors 230, 232 it is possible to individually vary the size of each information element 150 to get more attention from the user 6 of the SML01. For instance, bigger image representation of PDF documents 7 might be desirable if the user has more to deal with PDF documents.
8 [0199] The alignment of the information elements 150 on the information element 9 vectors 230, 232 can also vary to add more meaning to selected information elements 150, or a subset group of information elements 150. Referring to FIG.
11 55, the information elements 844, 846, related to a specific project, are aligned 12 slightly lower than the rest of the information elements 150 on the same 13 information element vector 230, 232 to be easily differentiable from other 14 information elements 150 not relevant to this specific project. On the vertical information element vector 232 information elements 850 and 856 are aligned 16 more to the left as opposed to all other information elements to visually 17 distinguish them. Still on information element vector 232, information element 18 852 is enlarged to, illustratively, provide a better view of a document that is 19 statistically consulted more often than the other. The color of the information elements 840, 854 and 848, 850 can vary to bring some difference in the visual 21 representation.
22 [0200] FIG. 56 depicts an increase in size 860, 880 of information elements 150 23 on both information element axis 230, 232. Information elements 150 are 24 magnified according to a linear (or non-linearly, not shown on FIG. 56) rate.
Alternatively, magnification of information elements could be maximized at the 26 intersection of both information element vectors 230, 232 without departing from 27 the scope of the invention. Information elements 872, 874, 876, 878, 880, 884, 28 886 use different colors and size in favor of improving fast visual recognition or 29 related or important information element. On FIG. 56, time marks 508 are using a uniform time scale 890 (as opposed to the non-uniform time scale depicted by 31 time marks 508 on FIG. 55).

1 [02011 The description and the drawings that are presented above are meant to 2 be illustrative of the present invention. They are not meant to be limiting of the 3 scope of the present invention. Modifications to the embodiments described may 4 be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims:

Claims (161)

1. A
non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer-implemented method for displaying documents, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying an axis of documents by switching between two different types of timescale used for a timeline of the axis, the two different types of timescale comprising a linear timescale of the displayed axis and a nonlinear timescale of the displayed axis, the step of displaying including (i) displaying the axis on a display with the timeline having a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(ii) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(HI) updating the time distribution to be displayed on the axis;
and (iv) displaying the axis on the display with the timeline having a non-linear timescale, the timescale having an updated time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(b) wherein the switching of the type of timescale of the axis between linear and nonlinear ti mesca les in displaying documents of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the documents are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 and 2 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent documents to be displayed along the axis.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 to 3 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timesca le in displaying documents of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent documents of the axis.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 to 4 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of documents are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of documents are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 to 5 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the array of documents along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 to 6 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the time distribution while changing the timesca le of the timeline by progressively altering the visual length of distance along the axis representing the periods of time along the axis.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 to 7 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: displaying documents of the axis along the timeline with the linear timescale at substantially variable intervals of distance between adjacent documents on the axis.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 to 8 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: displaying documents of the axis along the timeline with the non-linear timescale at substantially constant intervals of distance between adjacent documents on the axis.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 1 to 9 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the input is a selection of an attribute.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer implemented method for displaying documents, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a manner in which an array of the documents are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner relating to whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale;
(b) ordering the documents chronologically;
(c) when the determination is that the timeline has a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline haying a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis; and (d) when the determination is that the timeline has a non-linear timescale, the timescale having a time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(e) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(f) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (g) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying documents to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying documents to the user is effected by the input from the user.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 11 and 12 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent documents to be displayed along the axis.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 11 to 13 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying documents so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent documents of the axis.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 11 to 14 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of the documents are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of documents are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 11 to 15 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the documents along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 11 to 16 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the documents while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the intervals of distance between documents on the axis.

18. An information organizing system, comprising:
(a) a computing device having a (i) processor and (ii) non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer-implemented method; and (b) a display operatively connected to the computing device for displaying a graphical user interface to a user during performance of the method when the computer-executable instructions are executed;
(c) wherein the computer-implemented method includes the step of, (i) selecting a manner in which an array of documents are to be shown along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the rnanner comprising whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale, (ii) when the selected manner comprise a timeline having a linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display documents with the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (HI) when the selected manner comprises a timeline having a non-linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display documents with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iv) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(v) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (vi) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying documents of the axis to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying documents of the axis to the user is effected by the input frorn the user.

19. The information organizing system of claim 18, wherein the method therein further comprises changing a range of tirne represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the docurnents are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

20. The information organizing system of any one of claims 18 and 19, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of documents are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection by the user of the manner in which an array of documents are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

21. The information organizing system of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the method therein further comprises: changing the tirnescale of the timeline from a linear tirnescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear tirnescale to a non-linear tirnescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and causing the documents to be shown along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

22. The information organizing system of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent documents to be displayed along the axis.

23. The information organizing system of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the method therein further comprises effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying documents of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent documents of the axis.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer-implemented method for displaying user-selectable elements, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying an axis of user-selectable elements by switching between two different types of timescale used for a timeline of the axis, the two different types of timescale comprising a linear timescale of the displayed axis and a nonlinear timescale of the displayed axis, the step of displaying including (i) displaying the axis on a display with the timeline having a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(ii) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(HI) updating the time distribution to be displayed on the axis;
and (iv) displaying the axis on the display with the timeline having a non-linear timescale, the timescale having an updated time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(b) wherein the switching of the type of timescale of the axis between linear and nonlinear timescales in displaying user-selectable elements of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the user-selectable elements are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 and 25 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent user-selectable elements to be displayed along the axis.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 to 26 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying user-selectable elements of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent user-selectable elements of the axis.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 to 27 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of user-selectable elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of user-selectable elements are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 to 28 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear tirnescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear tirnescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the array of user-selectable elements along the axis in accordance with the changed tirnescale.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 to 29 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the time distribution while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the visual length of distance along the axis representing the periods of time along the axis.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 to 30 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the method further comprises: displaying user-selectable elements of the axis along the timeline with the linear timescale at substantially variable intervals of distance between adjacent user-selectable elements on the axis.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 to 31 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the method further comprises: displaying user-selectable elements of the axis along the timeline with the non-linear timescale at substantially constant intervals of distance between adjacent user-selectable elements on the axis.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 24 to 32 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the input is a selection of an attribute.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer implemented method for displaying user-selectable elements, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a manner in which an array of the user-selectable elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner relating to whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale;
(b) ordering the user-selectable elements chronologically;
(c) when the determination is that the timeline has a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis; and (d) when the determination is that the timeline has a non-linear timescale, the timescale having a time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(e) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(f) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (g) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying user-selectable elements to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying user-selectable elements to the user is effected by the input from the user.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 34 and 35 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent user-selectable elements to be displayed along the axis.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 34 to 36 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying user-selectable elements so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent user-selectable elements of the axis.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 34 to 37 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the step of the rnethod of determining a manner in which an array of the user-selectable elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of user-selectable elements are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear ti mesca le.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 34 to 38 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear tirnescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear tirnescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the user-selectable elements along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 34 to 39 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying user-selectable elements, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the user-selectable elements while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the intervals of distance between user-selectable elements on the axis.

41. An information organizing system, comprising:
(a) a computing device having a (i) processor and (ii) non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer-implemented rnethod; and (b) a display operatively connected to the computing device for displaying a graphical user interface to a user during performance of the method when the computer-executable instructions are executed;
(c) wherein the computer-implemented method includes the step of, (i) selecting a manner in which an array of user-selectable elements are to be shown along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner comprising whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale, (ii) when the selected manner comprise a timeline having a linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display user-selectable elements with the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (HI) when the selected manner comprises a timeline having a non-linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display user-selectable elements with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iv) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(v) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (vi) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying user-selectable elements of the axis to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying user-selectable elements of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

42. The information organizing system of claim 41, wherein the method therein further comprises changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the user-selectable elements are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

43. The information organizing system of any one of claims 41 and 42, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of user-selectable elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection by the user of the manner in which an array of user-selectable elements are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

44. The information organizing system of any one of claims 41 to 43, wherein the method therein further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear tirnescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and causing the user-selectable elements to be shown along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

45. The information organizing system of any one of claims 41 to 44, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent user-selectable elements to be displayed along the axis.

46. The information organizing system of any one of claims 41 to 45, wherein the method therein further comprises effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying user-selectable elements of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent user-selectable elements of the axis.

47. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer-implemented method for displaying search results, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying an axis of search results by switching between two different types of timescale used for a timeline of the axis, the two different types of timescale comprising a linear timescale of the displayed axis and a nonlinear timescale of the displayed axis, the step of displaying including (i) displaying the axis on a display with the timeline having a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(ii) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(HI) updating the time distribution to be displayed on the axis;
and (iv) displaying the axis on the display with the timeline having a non-linear timescale, the timescale having an updated time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(b) wherein the switching of the type of timescale of the axis between linear and nonlinear timescales in displaying search results of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 47 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the search results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 and 48 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent search results to be displayed along the axis.

50 The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 to 49 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timesca le in displaying search results of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent search results of the axis.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 to 50 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of search results are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of search results are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 to 51 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear tirnescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the array of search results along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 to 52 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the time distribution while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the visual length of distance along the axis representing the periods of time along the axis.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 to 53 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the method further comprises: displaying search results of the axis along the timeline with the linear timescale at substantially variable intervals of distance between adjacent search results on the axis.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 to 54 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the method further comprises: displaying search results of the axis along the timeline with the non-linear timescale at substantially constant intervals of distance between adjacent search results on the axis.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 47 to 55 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the input is a selection of an attribute.

57. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer implemented method for displaying search results, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a manner in which an array of the search results are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner relating to whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale;
(b) ordering the search results chronologically;
(c) when the determination is that the timeline has a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline haying a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis; and (d) when the determination is that the timeline has a non-linear timescale, the timescale having a time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(e) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (g) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying search results to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying search results to the user is effected by the input from the user.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 57 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 57 and 58 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent search results to be displayed along the axis.

60. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 57 to 59 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying search results so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent search results of the axis.

61. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 57 to 60 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of the search results are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of search results are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

62. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 57 to 61 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the search results along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

63. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 57 to 62 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying search results, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the search results while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the intervals of distance between search results on the axis.

64. An information organizing system, comprising:
(a) a computing device having a (i) processor and (ii) non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer-implemented method; and (b) a display operatively connected to the computing device for displaying a graphical user interface to a user during performance of the method when the computer-executable instructions are executed;
(c) wherein the computer-implemented method includes the step of, (i) selecting a manner in which an array of search results are to be shown along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner comprising whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale, (ii) when the selected manner comprise a timeline having a linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display information elements with the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iii) when the selected manner comprises a timeline having a non-linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display search results with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iv) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(v) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (vi) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying search results of the axis to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying search results of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

65. The information organizing system of claim 64, wherein the method therein further comprises changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the search results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

66. The information organizing system of any one of claims 64 and 65, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of search results are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection by the user of the manner in which an array of search results are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

67. The information organizing system of any one of claims 64 to 66, wherein the method therein further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timesca le; and causing the search results to be shown along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

68.
The information organizing system of any one of claims 64 to 67, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent search results to be displayed along the axis.

69. The information organizing system of any one of claims 64 to 68, wherein the method therein further comprises effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying search results of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent search results of the axis.

70. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer-implemented method for displaying information elements, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying an axis of information elements by switching between two different types of timescale used for a timeline of the axis, the two different types of timescale comprising a linear timescale of the displayed axis and a nonlinear timescale of the displayed axis, the step of displaying including (i) displaying the axis on a display with the timeline having a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(ii) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(HI) updating the time distribution to be displayed on the axis;
and (iv) displaying the axis on the display with the timeline having a non-linear timescale, the timescale having an updated time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(b) wherein the switching of the type of timescale of the axis between linear and nonlinear timesca les in displaying information elements of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

71. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 70 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the information elements are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

72. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 and 71 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent information elements to be displayed along the axis.

73. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 to 72 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying information elements of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent information elements of the axis.

74. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 to 73 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of information elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of information elements are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 to 74 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear tirnescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the array of information elements along the axis in accordance with the changed tirnescale.

76. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 to 75 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the time distribution while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the visual length of distance along the axis representing the periods of time along the axis.

77. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 to 76 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the method further comprises: displaying information elements of the axis along the timeline with the linear timescale at substantially variable intervals of distance between adjacent information elements on the axis.

78. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 to 77 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the method further comprises: displaying information elements of the axis along the timeline with the non-linear timescale at substantially constant intervals of distance between adjacent information elements on the axis.

79. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 70 to 78 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the input is a selection of an attribute.

80. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer implemented method for displaying information elements, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a manner in which an array of the information elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner relating to whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale;
(b) ordering the information elements chronologically;
(c) when the determination is that the timeline has a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis; and (d) when the determination is that the timeline has a non-linear timescale, the timescale having a time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(e) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(f) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (g) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying information elements to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying information elements to the user is effected by the input from the user.

81. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 80 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

82. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 80 and 81 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent information elements to be displayed along the axis.

83. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 80 to 83 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying information elements so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent information elements of the axis.

84. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 80 to 84 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of the information elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of information elements are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

85. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 80 to 85 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the information elements along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

86. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 80 to 86 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying information elements, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the information elements while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the intervals of distance between information elements on the axis.

87. An information organizing system, comprising:

(a) a computing device having a (i) processor and (ii) non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer-implemented method; and (b) a display operatively connected to the computing device for displaying a graphical user interface to a user during performance of the method when the computer-executable instructions are executed;
(c) wherein the computer-implemented method includes the step of, (i) selecting a manner in which an array of information elements are to be shown along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner comprising whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale, (ii) when the selected manner comprise a timeline having a linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display information elements with the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iii) when the selected manner comprises a timeline having a non-linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display information elements with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iv) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(v) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (v1) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying information elements of the axis to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying information elements of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

88. The information organizing system of claim 87, wherein the method therein further comprises changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the information elements are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

89. The information organizing system of any one of claims 87 and 88, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of information elements are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection by the user of the manner in which an array of information elements are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

90. The information organizing system of any one of claims 87 to 89, wherein the method therein further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and causing the information elements to be shown along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

91. The information organizing system of any one of claims 87 to 90, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent information elements to be displayed along the axis.

92. The information organizing system of any one of claims 87 to 91, wherein the method therein further comprises effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying information elements of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent information elements of the axis.

93. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer-implemented method for displaying icons, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying an axis of icons by switching between two different types of timescale used for a timeline of the axis, the two different types of timescale comprising a linear timescale of the displayed axis and a nonlinear timescale of the displayed axis, the step of displaying including (i) displaying the axis on a display with the timeline having a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(ii) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(iii) updating the time distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (iv) displaying the axis on the display with the timeline having a non-linear timescale, the timescale having an updated time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(b) wherein the switching of the type of timescale of the axis between linear and nonlinear timescales in displaying icons of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

94. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 93 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the icons are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

95. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 and 94 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent icons to be displayed along the axis.

96. The non-transitory coniputer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 to 95 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timesca le in displaying icons of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent icons of the axis.

97. The non-transitory coniputer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 to 96 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of icons are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of icons are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

98. The non-transitory coniputer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 to 97 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the array of icons along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

99. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 to 98 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the time distribution while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the visual length of distance along the axis representing the periods of time along the axis.

100. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 to 99 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the method further comprises: displaying icons of the axis along the timeline with the linear timescale at substantially variable intervals of distance between adjacent icons on the axis.

101. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 to 100 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the method further comprises: displaying icons of the axis along the timeline with the non-linear timescale at substantially constant intervals of distance between adjacent icons on the axis.

102. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 93 to 101 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the input is a selection of an attribute.

103. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer implemented method for displaying icons, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a manner in which an array of the icons are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner relating to whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale;
(b) ordering the icons chronologically;
(c) when the determination is that the timeline has a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis; and (d) when the determination is that the timeline has a non-linear timescale, the timescale having a time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;

(e) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(f) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (g) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying icons to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timesca le in displaying icons to the user is effected by the input from the user.

104. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 103 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

105. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 103 and 104 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent icons to be displayed along the axis.

106. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 103 to 105 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timesca le in displaying icons so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent icons of the axis.

107. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 103 to 106 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of the icons are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of icons are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

108. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 103 to 107 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the icons along the axis in accordance with the changed ti mesca le.

109. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 103 to 108 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying icons, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the icons while changing the timesca le of the timeline by progressively altering the intervals of distance between icons on the axis.

110. An information organizing system, comprising:
(a) a computing device having a (i) processor and (ii) non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer-implemented rnethod; and (b) a display operatively connected to the computing device for displaying a graphical user interface to a user during performance of the method when the computer-executable instructions are executed;
(c) wherein the computer-implemented method includes the step of, (i) selecting a manner in which an array of icons are to be shown along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner comprising whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale, (ii) when the selected manner comprise a timeline having a linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display icons with the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iii) when the selected manner comprises a timeline having a non-linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display icons with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iv) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(v) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (vi) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying icons of the axis to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying icons of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

111. The information organizingsystem of claim 110, wherein the method therein further comprises changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the icons are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

112. The information organizing system of any one of claims 110 and 111, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of icons are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection by the user of the manner in which an array of icons are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

113. The information organizing system of any one of claims 110 to 112, wherein the method therein further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and causing the icons to be shown along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

114. The information organizing system of any one of claims 110 to 113, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent icons to be displayed along the axis.

115. The information organizing system of any one of claims 110 to 114, wherein the method therein further comprises effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying icons of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent icons of the axis.

116. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer-implemented method for displaying pictures, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying an axis of pictures by switching between two different types of timescale used for a timeline of the axis, the two different types of timescale comprising a linear timescale of the displayed axis and a nonlinear timescale of the displayed axis, the step of displaying including (i) displaying the axis on a display with the timeline having a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(ii) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(HI) updating the time distribution to be displayed on the axis;
and (iv) displaying the axis on the display with the timeline having a non-linear timescale, the timescale having an updated time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(b) wherein the switching of the type of timescale of the axis between linear and nonlinear timescales in displaying pictures of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

117. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 116 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the pictures are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

118. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 and 117 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent pictures to be displayed along the axis.

119. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 to 118 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying pictures of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent pictures of the axis.

120. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 to 119 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of pictures are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of pictures are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

121. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 to 120 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the array of pictures along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

122. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 to 121 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the time distribution while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the visual length of distance along the axis representing the periods of time along the axis.

123. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 to 122 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the method further comprises: displaying pictures of the axis along the timeline with the linear timescale at substantially variable intervals of distance between adjacent pictures on the axis.

124. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 to 123 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the method further comprises: displaying pictures of the axis along the timeline with the non-linear ti mesca le at substantially constant intervals of distance between adjacent pictures on the axis.

125. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 116 to 124 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the input is a selection of an attribute.

126. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer implemented method for displaying pictures, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a manner in which an array of the pictures are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner relating to whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale;
(b) ordering the pictures chronologically;
(c) when the determination is that the timeline has a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis; and (d) when the determination is that the timeline has a non-linear timescale, the timescale having a time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(e) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (g) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying pictures to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying pictures to the user is effected by the input from the user.

127. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 126 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, the method further comprising changing a range of tinie represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the results are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

128. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 126 and 127 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the input from the user cornprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent pictures to be displayed along the axis.

129. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 126 to 128 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timesca le in displaying pictures so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent pictures of the axis.

130. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 126 to 129 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of the pictures are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of pictures are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

131. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 126 to 129 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear tirnescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the pictures along the axis in accordance with the changed timesca le.

132. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 126 to 130 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying pictures, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the pictures while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the intervals of distance between pictures on the axis.

133. An information organizing system, comprising:
(a) a computing device having a (i) processor and (ii) non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer-implemented method; and (b) a display operatively connected to the computing device for displaying a graphical user interface to a user during performance of the method when the computer-executable instructions are executed;
(c) wherein the computer-implemented method includes the step of, (i) selecting a manner in which an array of pictures are to be shown along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner comprising whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale, (ii) when the selected manner comprise a timeline having a linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display pictures with the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (HI) when the selected manner comprises a timeline having a non-linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display pictures with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iv) receiving an input from a user causing changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(v) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (v1) switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying pictures of the axis to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying pictures of the axis to the user is effected by the input from the user.

134. The information organizing system of claim 133, wherein the method therein further comprises changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the pictures are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

135. The information organizing system of any one of claims 133 and 134, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of pictures are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving user input representing a selection by the user of the manner in which an array of pictures are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

136. The information organizing system of any one of claims 133 to 135, wherein the method therein further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and causing the pictures to be shown along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

137. The information organizing system of any one of claims 133 to 136, wherein the input from the user comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent pictures to be displayed along the axis.

138. The information organizing system of any one of claims 133 to 137, wherein the method therein further comprises effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying pictures of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent pictures of the axis.

139. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer-implemented method for displaying documents, the method comprising the steps of:
(0) displaying an axis of documents by switching between two different types of timesca le used for a timeline of the axis, the two different types of timesoale comprising a linear timescale of the displayed axis and a nonlinear timescale of the displayed axis, the step of displaying including (0 displaying the axis on a display with the timeline having a linear tirnescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
Op updating the time distribution to be displayed on the axis;
and (iv) displaying the axis on the display with the timeline having a non-linear timescale, the timescale having an updated time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in ubstantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
(b) wherein the switching of the type of timescale of the axis between linear and nonlinear timesca les in displaying documents of the axis to the user is effected by the instruction.

140. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 139 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, the method further comprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the documents are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion,

141. the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 and 140 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying doouments, Wherein the input comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent documents to be displayed along the axis

142. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 to 141 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, ,provide a method of displaying documents, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale ln displaying documents of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a *played interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent docurnents of the

143. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 to 142 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of documents are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving an input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of documents are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

144. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 to 143 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving the input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving user input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the array of documents along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

145. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 to 144 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further cornprises: transitioning the time distribution while changing the timesca le of the timeline by progressively altering the visual length of distance along the axis representing the periods of time along the axis.

146 The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 to 145 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: displaying documents of the axis along the timeline with the linear timescale at substantially variable intervals of distance between adjacent documents on the axis.

147. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 to 146 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: displaying documents of the axis along the timeline with the non-linear timescale at substantially constant intervals of distance between adjacent documents on the axis.

148. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 139 to 147 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the input is a selection of an attribute.

84 140. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a computer implemented method for displaying documents, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a rnanner in which an array of the documents are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner relating to whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale;
(17) ordering the documents chronologically;
(c) when the determination is that the timeline has a linear timescale, the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, with substantially equal periods of time being visually represented =in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis; and (6) when the determination is that the timeline has a non-linear timescale, the timescale having a time distribution that is substantially variable, with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis;
changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
updating the time-distributlon to be displayed on the axis; and () switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying documents, wherein lhe switching between the linear tirnescale and the nonlinear timescale in displaying documents to the user Is effected by the instruction.

150. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 149 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, the method further cbmprising changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the resuits are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

151. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 11 and 150 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the instruction comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent documents to be displayed along the axis.

152. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 149 to 151 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, the method further comprising effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non linear timescale in displaying documents so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed iiirterval cf distance along the axis between two displayed adlacent documents of the axis.

153. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 149 to 152 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the step of the method of determining a manner in which an array of the documents are to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale comprises receiving an input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of documents are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

154. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 149 to 153 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: changing the timescale of the timeline from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing a change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timescale; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale upon receiving the input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear tirnescale to a linear timescale; and displaying the documents along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

155. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of claims 149 to 154 having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying documents, wherein the method further comprises: transitioning the documents while changing the timescale of the timeline by progressively altering the intervals of distance between documents on the axis.

156. An information organizing system, comprising:
(a) a computing device having a (i) processor and (ii) non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer-implemented method; and (b) a display operatively connected to the computing device for displaying a graphical user interface to a user during performance of the method when the computer-executable instructions are executed;
(c) wherein the computer-implemented method includes the step of, (i) selecting a manner in which an array of documents are to be shown along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the manner comprising whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale, (ii) when the selected manner comprise a timeline having a linear timescale, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display documents with the timescale of the timeline having a time distribution that is substantially constant, With substantially equal periods of time being visually represented in substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iii) when the selected manner comprises a timeline having a non-linear timesca le, causing to be shown on the display, for view by the user, an axis including the timeline to located and display documents with substantially equal periods of time not being visually represented ln substantially equal lengths of distance along the axis, (iv) changing a duration of time of the axis on the display;
(v) updating the time-distribution to be displayed on the axis; and (vi) switching between the linear tirnescale and the nonlinear timescale In displaying documents of the axis to the user, wherein the switching between the linear timescale and the nonlinear timescale In displaying documents of the axis to the user is effected by the Instruction.

157. The information organizing system of claim 156, wherein the method therein further comprises changing a range of time represented by a portion of a displayed length of the displayed axis, and wherein the documents are arranged in a substantially rectilinear fashion.

158. The information organizing system of any one of claims 156 and 157, wherein the step of the method of determining a rnanner in which an array of documents arc to be displayed along an axis having a timeline having a ti mesca le comprises receiving an input representing a selection of the manner in which an array of documents are displayed along an axis having a timeline having a timescale, the selection indicating whether the timeline has a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.

159. The information organizing systern of any one of claims 156 to 158, wherein the rnethod therein further comprises: changing the timesca le of the timeline from a linear ti mesca le to a non-linear timesca le upon receiving user input, on a basis of a attribute selection, representing ai change in the manner of display from a linear timescale to a non-linear timesca le; changing the timescale of the timeline from a non-linear tirnescale to a linear timescale upon receiving the input representing a change in the manner of display from a non-linear timescale to a linear timescale; and causing the documents to be shown along the axis in accordance with the changed timescale.

160. The information organizing system of any one of claims 156 to 159, wherein the input comprises setting of a threshold regarding intervals between adjacent documents to be displayed along the axis.

161. The information organizing system of any one of claims 156 to 160, wherein the method therein further comprises effecting switching from the linear timescale to the non-linear timescale in displaying documents of the axis so that a displayed extent of the axis includes a displayed interval of distance along the axis between two displayed adjacent documents of the axis.