GB2358778A - Methods for navigation personalisation and temporal organisation within structured multidimensional information spaces to improve usability and satisfaction - Google Patents

Abstract

Navigation within undifferentiated information spaces is problematic. A lack of structural and other cues leads to uncertainties, false routes, and negative experiences. Different navigation formats and information displays add to human information overload. Alternative ways are proposed within structured information spaces. Ways of navigating within structured spaces are described. A variety of methods have their parallels with navigation in the physical world. Methods of navigation and access can be used in combination with positive effect. Methods are described for easy and effective personalisation of information content delivery. To add to effectiveness of information delivery personalised streams can be ordered and structured to deliver information according to personal preferences. Navigation tools can be shared by groups of users, whilst preserving individual information profiles. Such sharing opens up ways for more effective delivery and easier and faster responses for users.

Description

2358778 Title Methods for Navigation, Personalisation and Temporal

Organisation within Structured Multidimensional Information Spaces to Improve Usability and Satisfaction.

BackgLound To date the presentation of electronic information has largely mirrored the twodimensional nature of information printed on a page. Facilities such as text linking has added to the usefulness of content navigation, but we largely remain stuck in a twodimensional information world. As a result the majority of user interfaces to information are essentially two- dimensional. The graphical representation of icons may be rendered to give the appearance of three dimensions but the underlying user interaction architecture is mainly "flat" or two-dimensional. This is in contrast with the majority of human activity, which occurs in three and four dimensions. This gives richness to human navigation in the physical world that contrasts sharply with the absence of cues in the information world.

That flat, largely two-dimensional interfaces are unnatural is indicated by the popularity of electronic games, which increasingly are three and four dimensional. 'Ehe relative case of the user interfiLces in such games is one factor in their popularity and is testimony to the level of user acceptance of such interfaces.

It has been proposed (Ross 1999, a, b, c and d) that structuring information in a way that mirrors the real world by providing multidimension location cues, improves accessibility and assimilation of information content. A structured, multi-dimensional information and entertamment (or infotamment) space allows for easier packaging and distribution of electronic content. Here we go flirther and propose ways of navigating the structured information content, to flirther improve ease of access and assimilation of information.

With the increases in computer power it is possible and practical to offer richer interfaces to personal and professional computer users. Providing structure and navigation tools aids interactivity, but it goes much finiher than this. Such navigation aids and tools permit easy personalisation of information streams and we demonstrate how this is possible. Further, navigation and personalisation together can provide a time-structured sequence of information delivery, and again we demonstrate how this is possible.

1 Problem Effective ways have to be found for dealing with the explosion in information content, created largely by the success of the Internet, and the penetration of personal and professional computers. Every minute of the day huge quantities of largely unstructured information are created and posted on the Internet, or exchanged electronically in other ways. This has led to individuals being faced with information overload. Search engines have been designed to help users cope with such overload, and these have become increasingly sophisticated. However such engines deal largely with the symptoms of the overload, and do little to address the underlying causes, which relate largely to a lack of methods, discipline, procedures and processes in the generation of much information content. By tackling these problems at source it is possible and practical to substantially reduce information overload.

The difficulties with the sheer volume of information are exacerbated by a lack of any editorial processes or standards, and a lack or absence of forms of information classification at anything other that a gross level. This makes location of relevant content a problematic matter, and makes navigation and assimilation of information difficult. Navigation today often means surfing a series of unconnected sites, with unknown relevance to the search criteria, and with sometimes surprising and unhelpful identification of locations promoting questionable material. Navigation within and between items can be slow and frustrating unless Internet acceleration tools are employed. Such tools have a role to play, but they deal largely with the symptoms of problems rather than their causes.

Ways have to be found of overcoming these shortcomings, which are inherent in the design of first generation Internet solutions, if digital information gathering, assimilation, interaction and commerce are to become truly useful and enjoyable experiences.

2 Essential Features We demonstrate how it is possible to build on a multi-dimensional information space with navigation tools that allow easy movement, selection and prioritisation within the information space. Further we show how such navigation tools can be a basis for the easy personalisation of information streams, and show how such navigation and personalisation can be used to fficilitate more acceptable ways of delivering information within an ordered temporal sequence that users find interesting and useful.

A requirement for navigation is the existence of a multidimensional information space, and our earlier Patent applications (Ross 1999 a, b and c) indicate the benefits of such multi-dimensional information spaces. Having established such structure during information generation and/or distribution it is necessary to provide navigational techniques around the information. This is the focus of this document.

People already have a variety of techniques for navigating the physical world. Our method extends these techniques to the information worlds. In the physical world we use terms such as up and down, left and right, more or less, we use gestures including pointing, we exploit signs that provide location and guidance information, we use route maps and directions, and we use sequences for example, 2d left, 3d right and then 1' left.

All these techniques and others help us find our way around the physical world. We propose they are equally relevant within multi-dimensional information spaces. Such cues become vital assistants to information location, assimilation and exploitation.

Within the information worlds navigation can be facilitated by a variety of devices including touch, voice commands and directions, mice, joysticks, and even virtual reality devices, including electronic representation of physical objects such as buttons, icons, objects, filing cabinets, desktops, rooms, buildings and even virtual cities.

These methods of navigation structure and navigation tools open up ways of personalising information for individuals and groups. With locator cues information content becomes "anchored" so individuals can find their way around more easily. And with links and structure between items of content it becomes possible to present a more seamless delivery of information, rather than the disjointed "jumps" which is a feature of such much Internet browsing today.

Such developments improve the satisfaction with, and usability of, content for users, whether the content is delivered to a personal or professional computer, a home entertainment device such as a digital TV or home networks, or wireless devices such as Internet enabled mobile phones.

The presence of navigation structure and tools opens up other possibilities. Different individuals can select the information classifications and categories they are interested in so they have delivered to themselves more personalised information streams. This can be done without imposing excessive overhead at the sender end as the information streams can be delivered in continuous streams and then selected for individual users. This reduces the amount of irrelevant traffic sent across networks.

3 By permitting variations in the degree of activation, for example low, medium or high, so some other indicator of degree of activation, then it is possible for the individual or group to have different quantities and/or levels of information relevant to that category or class of information to be delivered to them. Content navigation can be fiLcilitated by the use of voice and other command techniques. These can be used for providing more detail - saying "more" for example. Or for changing the context, for example by saying "deeper" or Iightee' depending on the information needs at the time. Another example may be to use say Iess violence" to filter out some of the more depressing items of coverage. Voice, or other commands, could also be used to provide shortcuts for frequently used activities, for example, "next", "bacW', "focus", "zooid' and so on.

By having a variety of categories or classes or classifications of information, and allowing each of them to be activated or not, to different degrees, it is possible to build a profile of an individual or groups information requirements. This profile can be used for effective information delivery. Depression of an element in a multidimensional information space, for example pushing a "buttod' can indicate whether or not there is any interest in a particular content category. Providing for depth of interest, for example by pressing a button in further, provides an easy way of finetuning the depth or level of information required.

By linking to reliable and quality information providers, at the global, local and focal levels, it becomes possible to tailor information streams even fluther. Someone with a deep interest not just in a particular sport, but in a particular sports team, would want a lot more detail about his or her team than someone with just a passing interest in the sport. So for example, a football team might have followers' world-wide, not just in their local area, and the information produced for local coverage could have much wider distribution via a structured system for information classification, categorisation and delivery. This suggests local newspapers still have a vital role to play in meeting the information needs of individuals, and that there are easier and better ways of organising their information than having to visit a series of unconnected web sites.

By taking account of the order of the categories as well it is possible to build a profiled temporal sequence of information according to individual or group interests. One person might want the general world news first, then sport, then fiLmily or finance. Someone else might want items in a different order, and by taking account of the order of the categories information can be easily delivered in personalised information streams, according to the individuals interests and information needs.

The methods described here have the advantage of not only selecting information that is of interest to individuals, it has the equally if not more important property of eliminating much of the information that is not be considered useful. Elimination of unnecessary information is one important way of reducing information overload.

This information elimination and selection is an important part of our Paradigm. When digital content is ubiquitous it is important to find ways of reducing the volume of information to a particular individual. This reduction in the volumes of information permits individuals to concentrate on what they regard as priority events, and activities.

4 Another way our methods help with information overload is they permit the easier storage and retrieval of information according to pre-assigned classification and categories, thereby freeing people to focus on what they want to do with or about the information they receive.

Introduction to Drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of navigation and Personalisation within a threedimensional space. The front, active, face of the cube is divided into a number of categories that can be selected in a variety of ways including letter of the alphabet, voice, mouse, joystick and other such methods.

Navigation of the surface uses the same type of command we use when navigating the physical world. Left or right, up or down and so on.

Navigation of Depth looks behind the surface at the other related information that provides background and/or context, and other stories that are linked to a chosen item.

Personalisation is achieved in this example by the user selecting and depressing a number of buttons, in this case Q N and P, to give the information that is of interest to that user at that time.

Figure 2 shows the temporal organisation, or time sequence, of information delivery according to the pre-selected categories chosen by the information recipient, and by the order in which those categories are placed. The helps information overload by eliminating unwanted information (which can still be browsed if required), and aids information assimilation by placing the information in a time ordering.

Category selection and sequencing is under the control of the user and can be changed at any time.

Figure 3 demonstrates how information can be delivered to groups of people as well as to individuals, and shows how the information requirements can be consolidated going up the hierarchy of individuals, groups and then ever large and/or more inclusive groups.

6 Ex@.mples A good illustration of the benefits of structuring information comes from the case of use and usefulness of many local newspapers and magazines. They carry a host of essential and necessary information about local activities and events, and it is often packaged in attractive and easy to use formats, exploiting classifications and categorisations of the items. Contrast this with the mass, and sometimes the mess, of information delivered as a result of Internet searches.

An example of the benefits of navigation is when people select information out of a yellow pages directory, compared to accessing a host of incompatible and inconsistent sources of information. Access within the structured information domain is normally easier, fiLster and more satis"g.

To give an example, in our multi-diniensional information space it is possible to use established standards for information representation and extend these where required. By giving categories and classes of information a representative location within the multi-dimensional space, it is possible to activate that location if the topic is of interest to an individual or group. When activated the streams of information relevant to that category or classification can be collected and presented to the individual in an easy and informative manner.

As an example of personalisation and temporal ordering one person might like to receive information with sport first, then world news, then local news then investment news. Someone else might like the world and local headlines, then business then sport, then finance. By enabling an ordering of the information categories people can receive just the news and information they require, and not be burdened by a host to what is to them irrelevant information. Further, individuals can receive information m the order, and to the depth, they require, not in the order the information is generated.

Ordering of information opens up ways of delivering information in more effective ways, and we address some of the opportunities elsewhere. One person may only want the top 2 or three stories in their selected categories, whereas someone else may want 3 to 5, or even 7 or more stories. Personalisation within the category streams permits such variations to be easily and effectively implemented. Voice control by simply asking for "more" or clicking for more detail makes the navigation very easy.

7 References Ross 1999 (a) A Multi-Dimensional Human Computer Interface Using Information Categorisation and Visualisation. GB 9915892.5 Ross 1999 (b) A Method for Multi-dimensional Information Representation Processing and Interaction Using Categorisation Structures and Processes GB 991589.3 Ross 1999 (c) A Method for Integrated Multi-Media Compound Document Structure, Creation, Representation, Processing and Interaction. GB 9915894.1 Ross 1999 (d) Multi-dimensional Computer Supported Communications Using Database Linking and a Visual Language Interface GB 9915895.8 8 Title Methods for Navigation, Personalisation and Temporal Organisation within Structured Multidimensional Information spaces to Improve Usability and Satisfaction.

Claims (1)

1. Claims

   Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire to secure by patent is as follows:

   1. 1 claim within human-computer interaction as assessed by usability trials people find it easier, faster and more effective to navigate information when that information is structured in distinctive ways, including the method proposed here for a multi-dimensional information and transaction space, and ways of information structuring, personalisation and navigating within these structures including some or all of the steps and elements described here and below. %.

   2. 1 claim individuals can use a variety of techniques for navigating a structured information space, and some of these ways have parallels with navigation in the real world, and by extending the navigation techniques from the physical to the information world brings significant user benefits, including ease of use, ease of search and ease of assimilation.

   cot- 3. 1 claim it is possible to extrapolate from the way people move around the physical '. C ' world, and apply similar techniques and methods for navigation of information worlds when those information worlds are first structured in multi-dimensional ways.

   4. 1 claim a variety of methods can be used for navigating an information space, including but not limited to touch, pointers, mice, joysticks, voice control, and virtual reality devices, and such methods are complementary and not mutually exclusive, and some methods will be more suited to some devices than others, and users will want choice between and control over their particular preferred methods for information interaction, and the framework presented permits such user freedom and choice.

   5. 1 claim that methods of navigation proposed here can be extended to cover the personalisation of information so individuals can more quickly and effectively chose the information they wish to receive, and eliminate information about which they are not interested, thereby reducing network traffic and unnecessary computing processing.

   (. C 6. 1 claim it is possible to have varying depths of information retrieved and presented according to the activation to different degrees and/or levels of elements of the navigation space to permit easy personalisation of information streams and content, which has the finther advantage of highlighting what is regarded as important information and eliminating much information that is considered unnecessary or unhelpful.

   7. 1 claim by taking account of the sequence of information selected it is possible to deliver time sequenced streams of relevant information to individuals, which enables individuals to have what they consider to be higher-priority elements to be delivered before lower-priority elements, thereby improving the overall user experience of humancomputer interaction.

   8. 1 claim when multi-dimensional information spaces are established, and navigation tools are provided for use within those information spaces, and techniques of personalisation and temporal sequencing are employed, then information is easier to access, and assimilation of relevant information is improved, and together these techniques help reduce the level of user information overload in navigating information spaces.

   9. 1 claim navigational tools can be used by groups of individuals, such that their collective requirements from personal profile is activated at the outset, and that information needs of different individuals can be aggregated to make delivery easier and response times faster, and by treating groups of individuals as information units then within a shared physical space, infonnation delivery can be improved for both individuals and groups, and communications between individuals and groups is also facilitated and the common and ubiquitous user interface for navigation facilities learning and remembering and minimises training overhea& 9 0 10. A method for navigation, personalisation and temporal organisation within 000 structured multi-dimensional information spaces to improve usability and satisfaction substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawing.

   Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows A number of preferred embOdiments of the present novel invention have been described in some detail herein and for those skilled in the art many modifications and variations will be apparent. It is my intent therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appending claims, and not by the specific details presented by way of example and illustration.

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

   1. A method and process independent of networks, devices, service providers and manufacturers for creating, navigating, personalising and organising structured documents, categories, information sources and stream, group and multiple group memberships that can be combined and interact one with another singularly and in combination, applied to information, repositories, databases, data stores, knowledge, events, activities, interactions and experiences with senders and receivers of information sharing structures for navigation, personalisation, organisation and modification of such structures for the exchange of content, communications, transactions and interactions, across groups, networks, and service and application providers, comprising the following steps, or variations or modifications thereof to achieve the same or similar ends:- Creation of structures, be these physical, electronic, conceptual or social or combinations thereo for documents, categories, classes or other domains or areas of content, communication, interaction, transaction, Perception, cognition or social behaviour Sharing of such structures with others through written or spoken communication or electronic means or some other method Creation of content containing tags to locate content within such structure or structures, not exclusively but allowing for multiple realisations, versions, variations, positions and overlaps Sourcing, strean:dng, multicasting or in some other way delivering content to individual or groups, to single or multiple devices from servers, databases, across fixed and wireless networks or in some other manner, or combinations of the above Users able to access categories, contents, or categories containing content that is delivered whether or not this replaces or supplements or extends earlier content, for all categories and classes or for those categories and classes selected by end-users Users navigating structures in a variety of ways under their control or automatically, with navigation sharing attributes of the method and process and its iterative application used to create structures 0 Personalisation, tailoring and use of the temporal characteristics of the information in the receiving streams and structures, under user or sender control or shared between receivers and senders of information or communication Evolution of structures and contents by senders and receivers by reference to previous structures and categories and classes for modification, evolution and developments With evolved structures being shared with some or all other users for activity, communications, interaction or transactions or any combination thereof to create feedback loops for the continual improvement and evolution of the components, services, and developments or incorporation of new elements into the overall method and process.

   2 The method Claim 1 flirther comprising the step of the iterative application of the process to form more sophisticated information and other structures applied to ranges of content, applications, interfaces and devices, including but not.limited to the following, each of which has the capability for multiple realisations within any and all structures as required: - Content within a physical or electronic document, structured according to the method and process Documents, physical or electronic, structured according to the method and process Categories of documents created by grouping of items along one or more dimensions of similarity.

   Classes of category formed by grouping items along one or more dimensions of similarity Meta-structures formed by further iterations or variations of the method and process Events, historic, current or future Activities, historic, current or future Experience, historic, current or planned News feeds, articles, reports, evaluations, magazines, books and other electronic and physical publications Delivered to a computer, television, digital assistant, wireless device or other more or less intelligent device, including hardware software, networking and similar devices Transmitted across fixed or wireless or digital audio or satellite or other network including telecommunications, cable, wireless and other infrastructures, public or private or combinations thereof To an individual, or a group or a community or some wider audience or some combination of these groups including multiple memberships of any of the above 3 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of applying such structures to different applications including but not limited to Infbrmation content creation and organisation, whether physical or electronic, individual or shared 13 12TI, News and information and data and graphics and video and other feeds, sources, databases or similar repositories of information and knowledge Web sites, Internet sites, Intranet sites and other electronic and physical stores, repositories and databases of information Communications between individuals, groups, enterprises and organisations 0 Communities of individuals assessed similar in some way 0 Co-ordination of content and category streams, activities, interactions and transactions across multiple sources, devices, situations and groups 4 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of creating profiles by and for users, with their activities and transactions forming, via the flirther application of the method and process, iterative information structures for other individuals or groups for whatever purpose, including but not limited to the following: - Content or transaction delivery or fulfilment Communication within and between individuals and groups Administrative, financial, legal, geographic or other requirements whether foreseen or not 0 Creation or maintenance of physical, social or virtual groups or communities or combinations thereof Overlapping, intersecting and multiple communities created by individuals and groups interests and overlaps Commerce activities and h-ansactions electronic and physical.

   Software and interfaces and programmes for computers and other intelligent devices Books, articles, magazines and reports and other publications and information dissemination methods (-,t-.1 1 12T The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flirth er step of organising elements into meaningful combinations within structures, with the possibility of visual representations appropriate to structuring processes, including organisation of - Interfaces Documents Publications including papers, books, magazines, periodicals, reports and similar Files/folders/cabinets/archives and other storage Desktops electronic or virtual Web and other information sites Interactive marketing, sales, promotion and other information 0 Group, departmental, enterprise and organisational information resources Mail, computer conferencing, notice boards and other transmission and display elements Address books, calendars, diaries, events activities and other such elements Advertising including services of all types, job vacancies, house and other premises lettings and sales, classified advertising of all types and other similar information and communications sources and activities Other information sites, sources and activities Other value and process chain activities involving movement of information between people, processes and organisations including analysis, evaluation, comparison, bidding and transacting goods and services and other elements 6 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of sharing information about categories, classes, structures, memberships, actions, interactions and transactions between senders and receivers and intermediaries of information across single and multiple devices across single and multiple networks 7 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of producing information, both physical and electronic, for distribution containing information structures, tags, identifiers, and metainformation relating to the processing and positioning of information within and between information structures The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the fluther step of packaging electronic information such that without further conversion but through selection of elements it can be sent in suitable formats through a variety of information channels and distribution methods, to a variety of devices whilst retaining its identifiers such that documents can be accessed and retrieved from a multitude of devices across a multitude of networks or combinations thereof (5, f 1 9 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flirther step of coordination from media distribution centres for media of a variety of diffl=ent types capable of being sent to a variety of different devices, simultaneous and successively, with the potential of end-to-end quality of service links on some or all of the diffirent distribution channels, with individual or group or combinations thereof of usage, activity and transactions monitored to provide information, communications, interaction and transaction utilities similar to energy, water, telecommunications, financial and entertainment utilities or combinations thereof 10 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flu-ther step of populating categories and classes of information with information from sources, or streams, or multicast to fill or supplement, complement or replace some or all of the information already contained within the categories and classes with the following characteristics: 0 Retention o and potential to re-establish, given appropriate networks, links to original documents, category or class events, experiences or activities, if need be to reconstitute a fiLcsimile or duplicate from consistent parts Ability for content to appear in one or more than one category or class at one and the same time A retained knowledge of the relevance, links and associations between an items and other items derived from its location within and between one or more stiuctures An ability to track variations of the document or other objects across variations, modifications, versions and across networks to different locations, people and devices An ability to display information appropriate to any receiving device or combination of receiving devices The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flirther step of navigating information structures on a variety of devices in consistent and compatible methods using the navigation techniques inherent in the information structures created and consistent with human cognitive and perceptual and social information processing capabilities with the following characteristics: - An ability to track and communicate a position within the information structure to any other device also used by the same individual to access the same information at the same or a diflerent time, and to share this with others if required An ability to navigate within, between, and across structures using a variety of devices including but not limited to controls, buttons, pointers, joysticks, mice, touch-sensitive screens, voice commands and other ways 11 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flirther step of selecting information, documents, categories, classes and structures of information according to preferences or actions at any point in a navigation process such that selected items display greater depth or breadth of information which likewise can be navigated.

   12 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flirther step of using structural cues and tags or other embedded information to search and retrieve contents, categories or classes, by using appropriate search engines to search some or the entirety of the contents of any element or structure 13 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of personalising structures, categories and classes through none, some or all of the following ways Selecting certain document types as having higher relevance to one or more devices such that information appropriate to a device is displayed according to the device limitations unless overruled by specific user activity.

   Selecting certain categories as being of higher relevance and attaching some mathematical or other tagging mechanism to indicate such interest, with this afFecting the number and type of items filling a particular category.

   Selecting and prioritising certain classes as having higher relevance with regard to the information available from sources, streams or multicasts.

   Impacting the order that documents, categories and classes are received so user prioritisation is always possible in situations of resource or processing or other constraints or requirements.

   14 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of creating naming structures, naming conventions, and identifiers for individuals, families, groups, communities and multiple groups memberships, with the following characteristics: - Any individual or group to potentially have a variety of identifiers indicating membership of physical, social or virtual groups, including multiple and overlapping memberships, with, when Imown, some or the totality of memberships maintained and delivered as unified or differentiated streams depending on user preference and activity Allocation of unique identifiers comprising prefix or suffix of both, whether random or not, to individuals, subgroups, groups or communities such that members of the same unit have an identical prefix or suffix or both In parallel allocation to the establishment of locator tags or identifiers based on geography, which can be overt or covert depending on requirements, security and other factors, allocate other linked unique identifiers can also if required also exhibit geographic and other cues, for security, location, physical deliveries and similar requirements is The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the finther step of transmitting information to individuals, groups or multiple groups using the features, facilities, cues and other attributes of the information structure, singularly, or in combination with each other and in combination with other devices including computer and network hardware and software and services and integration, with the following characteristics; _ The potential for senders or receivers or information, or both, to use physical cues, social cues, virtual cues or any combination thereof to direct content to more or less inclusive groups, subgroups or multiple groups or any combination thereof An ability to use combinations of the unique and locator identifiers to facilitate content delivery over network alternatives according to any requirements or combinations of requirements at any particular time including none, some or all of the following:Least cost routing Direct route routing Aggregated routing for physical groupings Routing selected to maintain quality of service levels Routing following prescribed geographical routes Random routing Multiple routing across the same and different networks to similar or diverse devices or both Any combination of the above or variations and modifications thereof to achieve similar ends.

   16 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of connecting to computer and network hardware and software, services and integrated solutions, distribution mechanisms, processes, networks and devices such that information can be exchanged between the user of a variety of information services and users of those services, singularly and in combination, with the provisioning, personalising, administrative, security and other processes established within the infrastructures and co-ordination services, irrespective of the devices or services being used by the user for tracking, co-ordination, administration and billing services 17 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of using computer and network hardware and software and services and integration for creating communicating capabilities, billboards, message groups and other display facilities for directing messages to any individual, family, subgroup, group or overlapping or intersecting groups, be these physical, social, virtual or any combination thereof 18 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the firther step of users and groups interacting with one another across networks and computers and devices, on a one to one, one to many or many to one basis. With multiple network and service inflxastructures further opportunities for interaction emerge, including the following: The combined features of single or multiple devices and multiple networks and connections together form new methods and processes for action, communication, interaction and transaction that form the basis of new and novel business and other processes, value chains and re-engineered activities The combinations of features, facilities, applications and activities opens up new end-to-end transaction relationships for businesses, consumers and other individuals, groups and multiple groups.

   19 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of administration activities, processes, logs and transaction associated with user activities across services, networks, devices, activities and groups, for information, relationships, fulfilment and security, direct for individuals, families, groups and multiple groups or as an element of service co- ordination for service and application providers or similar organisations.

   The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of creating physical, social or virtual communities of interest based on some dimension or dimensions of similarity, with intersecting and overlapping memberships, such that individuals and groups can interact with, communicate with and respond to others in their own or other group or multiple group memberships.

   21 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of enabling billing, with some or all of the following characteristics, where billing can include both billing and credit transactions. - Billing by any form or combination of usage of hardware, software, networking, human or other resource Billing by volumes of information received or accessed Billing by volume of information excluded 0 Billing by extent of filtering, or personalisation or similar modifications of the base method and process Billing by source of information Billing by timeliness of information Billing by the breadth or depth of the information accessed or any combination thereof 22 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of using any factors associated with information delivery and navigation for promotion, marketing, and selling activities, including by not limited to click through rates, banner advertising, promotion and counter promotion, or any element or sequence on a value chain from information of a less deep or more deep variety, analysis, comparisons, evaluations, transactions and value of goods transacted or any combination or extension therein billing, crediting, and control to any individual or group of any single or combined goods, services, usage, utilisation or combinations thereof Billed to individuals Billed to groupings of whatever type Or to any combination of the two, or other variations thereof ( C( 23 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of enabling individuals, groups, communities, organisations and enterprises to maintain and transact commerce within and between different elements and components of various structures, using structures to support transaction activities.

   24 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flather step of restricting access, usage, interaction and transaction, in part or in entirety, to individuals, groups and multiple groups on the basis of exceeding prescribed limits whatever these might be and of limiting legal, commercial or electronic liability of any or all parties involved in transactions by binding parties to billing and other administrative and financial arrangements associated with the structures and delivery of information to a variety of people and devices, with no consequential or other liabilities for the method and process and structures used to facilitate information provision and transactions The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of using contents, structures, locality, grouping, membership and other cues and tags for security, administration of rules and procedures. Same also to be used for identification of unauthorised and inappropriate use of structures, contents and interactions, with the possibility of excluding such parties from flirther interaction within the structures and transactions defined by the method and process. Further with multiple networks and devices intercommunicating further security is possible as follows: - The security and other features of one device with a temporary or permanent connection can combine and interact with the security and other features of other networks to produce higher levels of security and reliability of the actions and transactions using end-to-end connectivity, combining this with infrastructure and transmission and security characteristics from two or more networks on a single or multiple linked devices provides additional interactivity and two or more way communications for enhanced security and integrity of the actions and transactions 26 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the flirther step of permitting access to services from any number of diverse devices, whilst tracking individual activity across those one or more devices to deliver co- ordination within an underlying information infrastructure.

   27 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of Integration of Information Providers by using or providing interfaces and standards and reciprocal billing information and arrangements where these are required with none, some or all of the following characteristics: - a Users and providers agree the basis of the billing mechanisms and the costs associated with information access and transactions Information providers assume the financial and other risks associated with transactions of any sort Information Providers remain legally responsible for the information they provide for onward transmission to users and for any other aspects of the interactions or transactions arising from their content.

   28 The method and process of claim I with the additional step that where information services of whatever type agree that common and uniform electronic naming conventions based on the base method and process and structures can be implemented across different domains to open up opportunities for consistent naming in electronic and virtual spaces similar to lifetime personalised numbers available within the telecommunications arena.

   29 The method and process of Claim I comprising the further step of using the method and process and iterations thereot embodied in methods, processes, procedures, business practices, value chains, hardware, software, networking, databases, storage and other similar devices, together with the structured and shared content, categories and classes, and the locator and other cues to track, respond to or anticipate user requirements when using a variety of devices to access information sources, streams, multicasts and other distribution methods so as to retain a user integrity position and perspective with regard to the information presented and display across different devices with none, some or all of the following characteristics: - User position is retained across any and all devices that are active at any particular time in a tightly coupled or loosely coupled fashion or combinations thereotaccording to user preferences and device capabilities Content delivery to or action on one device transmitted to other linked and active devices, as appropriate to their capabilities if need be Activity or reaction on one device transmitted to linked and active devices, and reflected in inactive devices the next time they are activated Traces, logs, actions and transactions within and across none, some of all devices are logged for administration, service, and billing The method and process of Claim I comprising the ffirther step of allowing users universality from single designations and sign on passwords to a variety of devices if they so choose, or to associate and if required integrate discrete identities on different networks for administrative and billing purposes.

   31 The method and process of Claim I comprising the further step of providing co-operation across a variety of different media distribution channels, networks, information providers and similar to provide a comprehensive series of services that work across diverse and discrete devices in a manner that provides a family resemblance in the interface, navigation and access techniques, with a low level of duplication and redundancy of content and a low level of duplication of user activity.

   32 The method and process of Claim I comprising the finther step of enabling combinations of elements, methods and processes of structures of different types, and with different ownership or control of resources to combine one with another to deliver more integrated and unified services, subject to commercial, copyright and other restrictions 33 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of establishing interfiLces, standards, inter-working, interoperability or any combination thereof with the providers of networks, services, facilities, entertaimnent or work or leisure free or paid for managed services or similar infrastructures such that the end-to-end integrity and coherence and integration of users of the base method and process is maintained, or not as required 34 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the further step of establishing end to end activity monitors to provide quality of service metrics, and to interfiLce these into any or all administration, billing, crediting, and service quality penalty measures, debits or credits for users, information providers, third parties or any combination thereof The method and process of Claim. 1 comprising the further step of providing a family of similar interfaces to a variety of different devices with the interfaces sharing common features of the base method and process such that content device interfaces have the following characteristics: - Devices use a common method for structuring, ordering and sequencing across devices Devices use a common method for navigation and access of difFerent documents, categories classes and other features Any device is capable under user control of accessing any or all of the full feature set of the core document structures, albeit with limitations of speed, display or other limitations Interactions and transactions from any and all devices can be tracked by a meta-structure, using flirther iterations of the base method and process which contains a full profile of all user activity and behaviours for administration, security and billing purposes, subject to user privacy and national and international security and other requirements.

   36 The method and process of Claim 1 comprising the firther step of modifications and evolutions of the method and process and its iterative application within the same domains of information and activity or different domains and sharing said modifications with others for an overall evolution ability and capability within the method and process 37 A method and system for navigation, personalisation, organisation and modification of shared information structures and associated technology and infrastructure, substantially as described herein and with reference to the preceding claims and Figures 1 - 18 of the associated drawings wherein information content, communications or transactions are structured, with the structures shared between information providers and information recipients and based on classification and categorisation on the basis of similarity with items able to appear in multiple classifications or categories at one and the same time.