GB2354921A

GB2354921A - A method for multi-dimensional information representation processing and interaction using categorisation structures and processes

Info

Publication number: GB2354921A
Application number: GB9915893A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-08
Filing date: 1999-07-08
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Also published as: GB9915893D0

Abstract

A natural and frequent human process is that of multi-dimensional information categorisation. To date this human ability has not been exploited in human computer interaction to any significant extent. Using a Visual Language Interface that makes use of multi-dimensional information representation, and combining this with predefined and user defined information categories it is possible to represent information within iterative structured, multi-dimensional category structures. Since information content can simultaneously appear in multiple categories this is a more general database structure than the purely hierarchical kind. This structure mirrors human cognitive processes where multiple categories and contextual structure plays a part in information interpretation. The multi-dimensional representation represents an advance on current dominant two-dimensional forms of information classification and display, in relation to human-computer interaction and the software to support such interaction.

Description

2354921 Title A Method for Multi-dimensional Information Representation

Processing and Interaction Using Categorisation Structures and Processes.

Background

An important difference between raw data and information is that information is ordered and segmented by various forms of classification or categorisation. To date there has been only limited exploitation of this basic human characteristic in the design of human - computer interfaces. This means there are a multitude of different two-dimensional user interfaces, making any form of standard user interface (SUI) difficult. This creates leaming difficulties as individuals are faced with an increasing number of different interfaces on different information appliances. By extending the Graphic User Interface (GUI) into a three or more multi-dimensional representation, and by further extending the GUI with pre-classified classification and categorisation schemas to deliver SUI's, the potential for effective human - computer interaction is increased substantially.

Problem Data can always be classified in a number of ways so any human computer interface suffers if there is an exclusive classification of items. Instead there have to be multiple classifications possible. We are influenced by the information we receive, and much of this information is classified at or near its source. The author of the information, their location within a particular workspace, and the socially shared ways of classifying events all mean there is an independent structural classification of much information.

To date such information classification has been represented within computing devices, if represented at all, in flat two-dimensional information structures. Human - computer interaction has been further handicapped by having successive views of the information with later examples overlapping or hiding earlier ones. These problenLs can be overcome using multi-dimensional information representation and more natural visual interfaces using rules to govern the information display.

Essential Features Essential Features of the method which is part of a Visual Language Interface include the following.

Representation of documents within a non-hierarchical multi-dimensional space, with the potential for multiple classification.

Population of a particular category class with examples of both current information and historic or dynamic information, resulting from human decisions to save particular documents for future use and reference.

Location of any particular category by reference to Parent and Child categories and Peer categories.

The same underlying multi-dimensional structure can be used to describe simple or multi-media document types.

Processes of iterative classification locate individual elements and events into ever more deflned boundaries, without loosing the higher level classification schemas which can be reconstituted at any time.

Representation of the classification scheme is itself a multi-dimensional object with different information types and dimensions attached to any particular document.

Introduction to the Drawings

Figure One shows a basic definition of a category using a multidimensional representation of the category building block. This shows the relations between current items within the category, the historical or dynamic examples that have been saved, and the different levels and interrelationships with Parent, Peer and Child categories.

Figure Two shows how this simple structure can be used in an iterative fashion to more closely locate an event within a category space, right down to the document content structure which can also be represented as a three dimensional object.

2 Examples

There are a multitude of electronic information feeds to electronic and paper based information providers. Some of these feeds contain some information about the event or category within which a particular story or item falls. By using a more formal method of information categorisation and representation it opens up possibilities for the automated delivery and repurposing of information content, as well as improving the degree of usability for the users of information engines.

3 Title A Method for Multi-dimensional Information Representation Processing and Interaction Using Categorisation Structures and Processes.

Claims

Claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by patent is as follows:

I. A method for receiving, organising and retrieving simple or compound documents or other information into hierarchical or non-hierarchical databases with visual and other cues for the display of the information in multi-dimensional spaces according to pre-coded and self-coded differentiated categories that may be discrete or overlapping, said method comprising some or all of the methods and steps described here and below.
2. A step of online or wireless or some other form of receipt of information items or streams of information items that are classified at the point of origin or some intermediate point, or via context sensitive analysis at the point of receipt, to allow delivery within the multidimensional space according to single or multiple category classifications and/or codes, these being associated with faces and/or cells of the overall structure.
3. A method for information delivery to take place within major grouping of MetaCategories according to the classificatory schema and multidimensional space characteristics so that discrete classes of information can be displayed in a structured format depending on the nature of the information content and source.
4. Said information to be delivered with global, or local or intermediate and/or other cues so information can be presented in structured methods according to content, time, geography, or some combination of these and other elements or components, with different elements and/or depth of information available if requested and/or selected.
5. Methods for the information within the categories to be made available to the same individual at different times and/or in different formations or to one or more recipients according to structural or user-defined preference, and structured or ranked according to predefined or user defined methods, rankings and processes.
6. Methods for information to retain cues relating to its origination, or intermediation, so interaction and response can take place, for information elaboration and electronic transactions as well as for forms of billing, whatever the form of the billing algorithm, and for improved security of cross-network activity be these networks fixed or mobile or both.
7. Within the method information agents can collect and pass on data relating to interactions and transactions to designated third parties to allow for behaviour tracking, billing and security and integrity issues to be addressed, including offsite backup and replication of multidimensional information spaces and contents to allow for recovery after local failure and for remote access and interaction.
8. Methods for the display of information categories within a multidimensional space presented in a standardised user interface as described by Visual Language Interfaces, these Visual Language Interfaces detailing both the structural and interactive features of the information, transaction and interaction environments.
9. Methods for action on the information and transaction items, with human or automated intervention for human or automated storage, linking and deletion of some or all of the elements of the individual or compound items, apart from elements needed for security and tracking and billing purposes.
10. A method for multi-dimensional information representation processes and interaction using categorisation structures and processes substantially as described herein with reference to Figures I - 2 of the accompanying drawing.