GB2365300A

GB2365300A - Displaying search results according to relevance to query

Info

Publication number: GB2365300A
Application number: GB0113878A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Meakes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-07
Filing date: 2001-06-07
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: GB0113878D0; GB0013702D0

Abstract

The results (10) of a search performed using an electronic device according to a query (12) are displayed. The results are arranged on the display so that the most relevant results are appropriately positioned on the display, e.g. at the front and centre. Icons representing the results may also be displayed with varying sizes further indicating their relevance to the search query. Different patterns (22, 24, 26, 28) may be employed to display the search results as are required by the user.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Visual Data Interface This invention relates to a visual data interface.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to an interface for a computer system, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the interface can be used for any visual data interface for display on a display screen of an electronic system. For example, the interface can be used in home entertainment systems, personal organisers, telephone systems (wireless and cable), television systems and/or the like.

As the public become more reliant on computers and computing software for business and their everyday needs including formal and social communication, education, shopping, information gathering, commerce and leisure activities such as games, listening to music or video entertainment, there is an increasing requirement for improved means of accessing, collating and retrieving data, software applications or the like, which are stored or are available on personal computer systems, local and wide computer network systems, intranets, peer-to-peer (shared) systems, the internet and broadcast systems as provided by cable/satellite television, telephony and broadband networks and/or the like (hereinafter referred to as computer systems) A conventional method for obtaining information from a computer system requires a user to input a query into the system to produce a query output. The query output is typically in the form of a list comprising files/ applications/ address files /data-items/ compendium documents /internet- sites /hyperlink files/streaming media such as TV, video, games, DVD and streaming communication such as visual and voice telephone systems, e-mailing or text messaging, and/or the like (hereinafter referred to as data units). It will be

understood that the above examples of data units is a non- exhaustive list and data units can include any viewable item available via a computer system.

The query output list typically identifies the particular location of each data unit within a system and provides for the user a title and/or file name, and in some cases a text description of the data- unit's content. A list of this type provides an indication of the rank importance of each data unit but provides no immediate visual indication of their relative importance.

In addition, with the increase in computing power, greater use of ease of distribution of video content and with the public increasingly storing photographic material in the form of computer files rather than as printed images, there is a requirements to provide a visual indication of a data unit's content. Computer operating systems are increasingly using this feature to display data unit previews and media systems, such as cable television invariably provide picture -in-p ic ture (PIP) windows to display a list of channels and/or to preview a channel's content.

These visual representations are not well suited to use within a list format as they typically take up a large amount of screen area, are not easily manipulable, cannot be split or wrapped and made to fit a specific area or shape, as can be achieved with a text description. Use of visual representations of data units typically results in an interface where a reduced number of data units can be displayed on the screen simultaneously relative to a list format, or where the visual representations are rendered too small to be useful, where the representations overlap on the display screen, are superimposed over each other and/or where data units are arranged in a way which indicates no order of relevance.

In addition, with the increase in computing power,, increasing ease of distribution of video content and with the public increasingly storing photographic material in the form of computer files rather than as printed images, there is a requirement to provide a visual indication of a data units content. Computer operating systems are increasingly using this feature to display data unit previews and media systems, such as cable television, invariably provide picture- in-picture (PIP) windows to display a list of channels and/or preview a channels content. As computer usage increasingly involves the user accessing data on low resolution displays, such as television type displays, rather than high resolution computer monitors in a O'sit back" position at some distance from the display rather than a O'sit forward" position, computer system displays are expected to utillse increasingly large data unit previews.

In summary, problems associated with conventional display screen interfaces are that they do not typically allow a user to easily view an output query on the basis of relevance and/or do now show the importance of one data unit relative to other data units in a manner that allows all the data units of an output query to be simultaneously and easily identifiable and accessible. There is also generally no information provided on the display screen for the user to determine at a glance the data units which have already been viewed and further data units which are available for viewing.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a visual data interface which allows a user to easily view and access data units relating to an output query on the basis of relevance and/or relative importance to the input query.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a visual data interface which allows a user to easily and quickly compile specific data units from a plurality of scattered data units, move

between a number of data units and layers of data units and view and access data units from a previous or present output query in an understandable and user friendly format.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a visual data interface for an electronic device, said electronic device including a display screen, processing means, memory means in or connected to the electronic device and means for identifying and displaying a number of data units on the display screen in response to a user's query and wherein said number of data units are provided with x, y and/or z coordinates for positioning of the data units at appropriate positions on the display screen according to the relevance of the data units to the user's query, the x, y and /or z coordinates being calculated from a physical and/or virtual graphical representation of each data unit against one or more relevance criteria and/or relative to one of the identified data units.

Preferably the graphical representation shows the mean, mode, median and/or percentage relevance of the data units for the one or more relevance criteria.

Preferably the graphical representation is in the form of a plotted curve. For example, the curve can include a bell shaped curve, a sigmoid curve, cumulative frequency curve and/or the like. Alternatively the graphical representation is in the form of a pyramid, with the apex of the pyramid being the most relevant data unit to the user's query. With the data units presented in this manner, a larger number of data units can be fitted onto the display screen but yet still be viewed with ease by the user.

The type of graphical representation which the orientation of the data units on the display screen is based, can be determined by the user, a broadcaster and/or device manufacturer.

Preferably the data units are displayed in the form of layers and/or display windows, the data units within each layer being positioned on the display screen based on the graphical representation, and one or more data units within a layer being linked to one or more data units in other layers.

Preferably the relevance criteria include any or any combination of heuristic factors, the number of times the terms of the user's query is identified in the data unit, the number of times the data unit has been identified and/or accessed in a pre-determined period of time, the relative position of the apex of the data object within a local or remote network hierarchy, the relative position to the required subject of the data object within a pre-existing index, the file size of the data object, the alphabetical position or the data object, the relative date associated with the data object and/or the like.

Preferably the interface is provided with a user's query input box which is displayed on the display screen to enable a user to input keywords or query. The electronic system retrieves data units relevant to the user's query and displays the same on the screen.

Preferably the data units are viewed as icons on the display screen. The icons can be any shape, colour or design and can be user defined or pre-determined.

Preferably an "end screen" exists, such that on selecting a particular data unit icon, a final configuration is reached where there are no further forward links to other data unit layers. The end screen

typically appears as a full screen display but the size of the screen can be user defined.

in one embodiment the data unit icons for subsequent end screen display can be displayed as a picture - in-p ic ture (PIP) screen. Preferably the interface is provided with visual means to illustrate the route taken or previous selection of data units made by the user since the last user's query.

Further preferably the visual means, is in the form of a bar having a number of location arms in which previous or present data units/data unit layers can be logged. The bar can be selected and dragged by the user to a user-defined position on the display screen and one or more of the data units can be selected directly from the bar, such that the user does not have go through intermediate data unit layers/windows which the user is not interested in. In addition, the return bar can be hidden or viewed as required.

Preferably the interface is provided with navigational keys to enable a user to move through the data units displayed on screen. The navigational keys typically provide forward/ backwards movement and sideways movement.

The user can also input queries and navigate through the interface using a remote control handset, control buttons on the electronic device, voice recognition/ activation system and/or the like.

Preferably all the data units retrieved via the processing means are provided with an index system for organisation of the same and in one embodiment the index system is based on the duey-decimal system.

Further preferably the data unit icons are provided with a tag. The tags can relate to a virtual, physical and/or spatial location, time of creation, a series of key words appearing in the document, the users own identification method and/or the like. The tags can be attached to the units/documents via the processing means. Alternatively, the tags can be applied manually to the data units. The index system typically relates to the tags on the data units In one embodiment a threshold level is set which determines the number of data units to be displayed on the screen at any particular time. This threshold level can be user-defined and/or be a default threshold level.

Preferably the data units within each layer ate arranged in a hierarchical manner with the data unit most relevant to the user's query being displayed most prominently.

The relevance of the data unit can be determined, in addition to the position of the data unit icon on the display screen, by the colour of the unit icon, the size of the unit icon, the shape of the unit icon, the transparency of the icon and/or the like.

In one embodiment the data units are arranged such that the most relevant data unit is located substantially centrally of the display screen, other less relevant data units being displayed relatively thereto according to the selected graphical representation.

Preferably the data units from one or more previous layers leave a trail on the display screen to enable a user to quickly select a data unit from a previous data layer, even when the user is viewing a new data layer. For example, if there is sufficient space on the display screen, a series of tabs around the periphery of the display screen can be provided to relate to previously viewed data units. Viewing

of these tabs can be optional and the position of the same on the screen can be defined by the user. Alternatively the tags are moved to a default position.

In one embodiment, when a link is made to a new layer of data units, the new layer of data units appear on the screen to give the appearance that the data units have come from a remote point on the display screen. Alternatively, the layer of data units can appear/ disappear on/from the display screen to give the appearance that they are moving from a near point to a remote location or a non-displayed "virtual" location . Either embodiment typically gives the user the impression that they are moving along a "tunnel" with layers of data units at different locations within the tunnel appearing on the screen when a particular location is reached.

In one embodiment, the data units can appear superimposed on a currently opened application window. Alternatively, the data units can appear in an area of the screen distinct from the application window.

Preferably a particular query output and path taken by the user through the layers of data units can be stored in the memory of the computer system. This enables a user to rapidly retrace a previous search path.

In one embodiment, pre-determined data layers can be compiled by a virtual and/or physical expert (such as in the form of an index). For example, cinema times relating to particular films, at particular times and at particular cinemas in a region can be provided in a predetermined series of data layers. The particular query output comprising the pre-determined layers can be stored locally in a "favourites menu" created by the user.

In one embodiment the data units are provided with one or more security features such that security clearance is required before the same can be accessed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a visual data interface for an electronic device, said electronic device including a display screen, processing means, memory means in or connected to the electronic device and a means for identifying and displaying one or more data units on the display screen in response to a user's query and wherein said method includes the step of inputting a query into said device, identifying and selecting a number of data units for display on the display screen based on the relevance of the data units to the user's query, providing the selected data units with X. y and/or z coordinates for positioning the data units at appropriate positions on the display screen according to the relevance of the units to the user's query, the x, y and/or z coordinates being calculated from a physical and/or virtual graphical representation of each data units against one or more relevance criteria and/or relative to one of the identified data units.

Preferably the electronic device is or forms part of a computer system, Internet system, broadcast data receiver, cable or wireless telephone system, television and/or the like.

Advantages of the visual data interface according to the present invention are that the user can quickly and easily compile specific data units from a plurality of scattered data units, move between a number of data units and layers of data units, and view and access previously viewed data units in an understandable and user friendly format. The graphical display of the data units follow the user's natural eye movement and/or hand movement, and follows the principles of Fitt's Law, whereby the time to acquire a target is a

function of the distance to and size of the target, thereby increasing the ease and efficiency by which data units can be selected. The present invention does not require the user to scroll down a long list of identified data units as is often the case with the prior art. Thus the invention provides a user friendly interface which does not require specific training to use and provides a clearer and more interesting manner in which to present data units.

A further advantage of the interface according to the present invention is the scaleability of the same, such that the system can function equally well with a few data units as it can with a vast array of data units. The system is therefore useful on a local electronic system (i.e., a stand alone computer) or larger scale electronic systems (i.e., networked computer system).

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures wherein: Figure 1 is an embodiment of the interface according to the present invention; Figures 2a-21 are examples of typical arrangements of data unit layers on a display screen; Figures 3a-31 are examples of use of the return menu according to the present invention; Figures 4a-4H are examples of how an initial user query can be followed through linked data layers; Figure 5 is an example of the present invention used on a local computer system; ,

Figures 6A-6D are examples of merging of data layers; Figures 7A-7D are examples of possible arrangements of the data units on the display screen; Figures 8A-8D are further examples of possible arrangements of the data units on the display screen; Figures 9- 12C are examples of the methods by which the data units are provided with coordinates for display on a display screen based on graphical representations; In the following description, examples of screen displays with data units plotted thereon based on virtual graphical representations are firstly described with reference to figures 1-6. Examples of the methods by which coordinates of the data units are calculated from the graphical representations are then illustrated with reference to figures 7-12C.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown an example of an interface on a display screen 2 of a computer system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display screen 2 comprises a task bar 4, navigational keys 6, a return menu 8 and a plurality of data units 10.

The task bar 4 includes a query input box 12, which is permanently accessible on the display screen 2 to enable a user to input a query and/or keyword(s). For example, the key word "entertainment" is typed in box 12 by a user. The computer system then searches for relevant data units corresponding to the user input query in the local memory and/or via the internet to produce a number of "hits" in the form of data units arranged according to the query relevance.

The data units 10 identified in the search appear on the display screen 2, as illustrated in Figure 1.

It is noted that a voice activation/ recognition system can be used as an alternative or in addition to typing requests into said query box and navigating through the interface. The voice recognition system could also react to voiced commands such as "up", "down", "zoom in", "zoom out" and/or the like.

The task bar 4 includes a plurality of user defined display keys 14, 16, 18 and 20 which enable a user to select the form/order in which the data units 10 are to be displayed on screen 2. The display keys are used to activate one or more methods of relevance sorting,, and/or to alter the ratio of one method of relevance sorting to another. Thus the display keys alter the virtual graphical representation from which the data units are provided with x and y coordinates for plotting on the display screen. Display key 14 bases the arrangement, and/or the relative importance of the data units on the screen on sub)ect, the no. of times the terms the user's query is identified in the data unit, and/or against an existing index, display key 16 orders the data units by the number of links to the data ob)ect, display key 18 orders the data unit by chronological occurrence and display key 20 orders the data unit by the no. of times the data unit has been identified and/or accessed in a predetermined period of time.

The task bar 4 further includes a plurality of user defined relevance keys 22, 24, 26 and 28 which enable a user to select the type of graphical representation of the data units displayed on the screen. For example, whether to display the display units according to a spiral pattern 22, an s-shaped pattern 24, a flattened 2 list 26 or in a pie chart arrangement 28. Typically a spiral pattern is the default setting, and is useful for viewing cumulative data. The s-shaped

pattern is useful when using relevance criteria, which can be arranged in a forwards as well as backwards arrangement. For example, when data objects are used as part of an appointments schedule and range chronologically from a previous date to a date some time in the future, or where the user is sorting a query alphabetically and wishes to view subsequent as well as prior alphabetical entries on either side of the target letter or word.

Relevance of the data units can also be determined by the colour of the data unit, by the type or shape of icon displayed as the data unit, and/or the like.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the quality and magnitude of the data sample is such that it allows statistically accurate values to be obtained from the search query output. Keys 22 and 24 can be further defined to display data units according to the mode 22 and mean 24.

The numbers 40 associated with the data unit icon relate to the number of subsequent pages which are linked to that data unit icon. For example, a number 0.19 associated with a data unit indicates that there are 19 subsequent pages having links to that data unit, as shown by "BLADE RUNNER" TM data icon in Figure 4H. This can provide an exact numerical indication of relevance to the user. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the indicator 40 can relate to the relevance of the data unit according to the chosen arrangement of the data units on the screen on subject, for example the no. of times the terms of the user's query is identified in the data unit, and/or against an existing index, and/or the like, display key 16 orders the data units by the number of links to the data object, and/or the like., the chronological occurrence and/or the data unit by the no. of times the data unit has been identified and/or accessed in a predetermined period of time and/or the like. In a

further example, where a plurality of query methods are used in combination, a number can be associated with the overall relevance score.

A threshold box 30 is provided in task bar 4 which enables a user to define the number of data units to be displayed on the screen at any particular time. If no number is typed in box 30, a default threshold level can be calculated by the computer system.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the task bar can include any combination of the above and/or additional display and relevance options which will still be within the scope of the present invention.

The navigational keys 6 allow a user to toggle through the data units displayed on screen in a forwards or backwards direction (select a data unit or return to a previous data layer), 32 and 34 respectively, and from left to right (sequential view the data units in each layer), 36 and 38 respectively. A mouse, pen, keyboard, voice command and/or )oystick can also be used to move through the data units.

The data unit icons 10, as shown in Figure 1, are arranged on screen 2 such that the most relevant data unit to the user's input query i.e., 99music" is the largest data unit icon on screen. The percentage relevance or numerical relevance of the data unit can also be provided with the data unit icon.

The data units 10, which are displayed on screen 2 in response to a user's input query, form a layer of data units relevant to that particular query. Once a data unit is selected by a user using the navigational keys 6, a further layer of data units is displayed on the screen 2 which is relevant and linked to the selected data unit. However, some of the data units will have no further links to other

data layers and will result in an end screen display which fills the entire display screen. This end screen is, in effect, the "final answer" to the user's query.

The bar 8 provides a means of recording previous queries and data unit layers in the order in which they were made/selected. For example, the bar 8 shows that a search query for "entertainment" was made and if the data unit entitled "music" is selected, this will also appear on the bottom of the bar. The user can select a previous data unit or data unit layer from the bar at any time to return to a previous point in the search query, without having to pass through intermediate data layers.

An expander key 46 can be provided to enable the user to display further data units relevant to a user's query, but which were not shown due to the limitation set in the threshold box 30. The navigation key 34 can then be used to return to the previous threshold listing. Alternatively, forward and backwards expander keys can be provided at either end of the data object array to navigate through the data units/data layers.

Referring to Figures 2a-2i, there are illustrated examples of typical arrangements of data unit layers 102 which follow an index on display screens 104. Figure 2a shows that a data unit 106 "Option a" can be selected to display a linked data layer 108, as in Figure 2b. The selection is recorded in the return menu 110. Data unit 112 4ca.option 1" can then be selected to display a linked data layer 114 and the selection is recorded in the return menu 110 and so on.

The data units within a data layer can be arranged on the display screen using an apex or central point for the most relevant data unit 116 to a user's query. Data units 118 of lesser relevance to the user's query spiral in an anti clockwise manner from the most

relevant unit 116, as shown in figures 2d and 2e, typically according to the graphical representation chosen. Alternatively, the lesser relevant data units 118 can spiral in a clockwise manner from the most relevant data unit 116, as illustrated in figure 2f.

If a data unit of lesser relevance is highlighted by the user, this can appear at the apex or "preview centre" to be seen clearly by the user, as shown in figure 2e.

Figure 2G-2I shows the arrangement of the data units 120 within a data layer 122 as a "flattened list", with the most relevant data unit to a user's query being provided at an end 124 in figure 2G. Less relevant data units are located radially from the same. In figure 2h the data units are provided in serial lists and in figure 21 the most relevant data unit 126 is provided centrally to the lesser relevant data units 128. The data units in figures 2g-2h are given equal display space and are the icons are not sized according to relevance. Referring to figures 3A-31, there are illustrated examples of how the bar functions being used to follow the selection of data units within a data layer. Figures 3a- 3d illustrate how the bar 130 logs previous selected data units, as new data units are selected. As a new data layer is selected, the previous data layer moves up one position on the available positions 134 on the bar 132.

Figures 3E-3I illustrate the bar being used to select a previous data layer, without having to view intermediate previous layers. The reverse movement through previously viewed data layers is logged horizontally on the bar. When a previous data layer is selected from the bar, the data units previously displayed within that data layer are re-displayed on the screen.

The bar can be located in any user-defined position on the screen by dragging the same. It can also be enlarged, shrunk or hidden from view depending on user preference.

Figures 4A-4H illustrate how an initial user query of "Arts + Literature" can be followed through linked data layers, the data units within each layer becoming more specific to an interest of the user until an end screen is reached. For example, if the user wants to find information about a particular movie. The user can input a broad query of "arts + literature", the user then selects the data unit entitled "entertainment" and is linked to the data layer of figure 4B. The user selects the data unit "movies" and is linked to the data layer of figure 4c and so on. The final end screen, when selected via a final data unit, results in the identified film being played. The end screen can be indicated by a plurality of means. For example, the number 40 associated with the data unit icon can indicate how many subsequent pages there are linked to the data unit, which for an end screen may read 0.01. Other means can be used to indicate a final end screen, such as a miniaturised version of the data of the final screen displayed as the icon, particular shaped, coloured, designs of data unit icons and/or the like.

Figure 4E illustrates how the unselected data units 202 are arranged at the periphery of the display screen 204 when a data unit within the layer is selected. These data units may be viewable by labelled tabs provided around the periphery of the display screen. The option of having unselected data units as tabs around the screen is typically user selectable.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the queries could result in any number of data layers and final end screens being produced. For example, the final data unit/end screen can be TV channels and/or films and the layers linked to the same include data

units which indicate a summary of the film, the type of film i.e., whether the film is a romantic film, comedy, thriller and/or the like, The length of the film, the age of the film, a film containing certain actors and/or the like can be displayed as selectable data units within a layer(s).

The interface according to the present invention can be utilised by a user of a local system as shown in figure 5. The user's home data units can be arranged according to the user's selected preference, such as size of the data unit, frequency of use of the data unit and the like.

Figures 6A-6D illustrate how data layers from previous queries which have been logged on the bar 302 can be merged. For example, the current display of data units in figure 6a is merged with a previous data layer to produce a new data layer as shown in figure 6B. The merging of the data layers 304 is logged on the bar 302. Further merging of data units can be achieved as shown in Figures 6C-6D. Merged queries are then placed in relevant order i.e., chronologically, by sub)ect or label, alphabetically, as specified by the user and/or the like, as shown in figure 6D.

Figures 7A-7E illustrates how the data units relating to a particular user's query can be distributed in space on the display screen according to their relevance using cumulative curves. The data units are provided with x, y, z coordinates for positioning on the screen, The coordinates are calculated from physical and/or virtual graphical representations of each data unit against one or more relevance criteria. Arranging the data units in this manner can enhance the user's ability to identify the relevance of a particular data unit from a number of data units. Since the display screen is two dimensional, the z coordinate given to the data units is as if the

screen had depth and therefore the data units can be provided in different sizes and/or overlap to reflect this "virtual" Z-axis.

Figure 7A shows a graphical representation in the form of a cumulative frequency curve, with the Y axis 402 used to show the % relevance of a data unit to the user's query. The X axis represents the sites or data units identified in respect of the user's query. The data units identified by the user's query are given XY coordinates based on the position along the curve. The direction of diminishing relevance is shown by arrow 404, The data unit icons are distributed regularly along the curve and the number of units displayed on screen depends on the threshold value set by the user. lf the user does not set a threshold value then a default threshold value can be set.

The most relevant data unit to the user's query is typically selected from the number of data units and positioned on the display screen, the other data units can be positioned relative to this most relevant data unit.

Figure 7B shows a further graphical representation of a cumulative frequency curve plotted in the form of a spiral. The spiral of data units can be displayed on the display screen as if looking at the spiral from above, as illustrated in figure 7C. As the relevance of the data unit diminishes then the size of the data unit icon can also be reduced, with position A being the most relevant data unit to the user's query and position B being the least relevant data unit. Figure 7D illustrates a side view of the arrangement of data units of figure 7C as it would appear on the screen if viewed from the side.

The graphical representation are typically virtual and the x, y and/or z coordinates are calculated by the processing means in accordance with the selected graphical representation chosen and/or the

relevance criteria being used. Alternatively the graphical representation providing the data units coordinates is displayed on the display screen as part of, or in addition to, the display of the data units.

Figures 8A-8D illustrate further arrangements for distributing the data units in space on the display screen. Figure 8A shows a normal cumulative distribution curve and in figure 8b the same is plotted as an s-shaped curve. Each data unit is then plotted along the s-shaped curve according to the relevance of the data unit to the user's query, as illustrated in figure Sc when viewing the S-curve from above. Figure 8D shows a perspective view of the S-curve onto which data units can be plotted.

The data units can be arranged on the curves according to mode or mean values given to the data units identified in response to the user's query. For example, the mode value can represent the highest relevance value of a data unit. The mean value can represent the most frequently identified data unit/data layer or links to a data unit/data layer.

When a data unit is selected, the data layer to which it is linked can appear from a point remote from the front of the display screen. When a new data unit is selected, the unselected data units can move to the periphery of the screen, as described previously, or the data units can appear to fade from view.

Referring to figure 9A, there is illustrated a more detailed example of how data units/windows identified as being relevant to the user's query can be provided with x, y and/or z coordinates based on graphical representations. The x axis represents the data units identified in response to the user's query and the y axis is based on any or any combination of a) heuristic measurements such as, for

example, citation indexing whereby the frequency and/or position of the occurrence of a particular query value or phrase in the search field is recorded and/or measurement against a pre-existing index or hierarchy (for example, a user may enter a query "farming+ tractors" where "farming" is designated "300.00" and "tractors" is designated "300.21". Measurements closest to "300.021" will be most accurate). b) Cummulative values (for example the number of links to a data object and if possible the value of the linking pages, the frequency of use or "hits" of the data object). c) Relative values (for instance measurement against an alphabetical or chronological point, where points forward are positive values and points backwards are negative values). Value a) is used to restrict the size of the graph to be considered. Each value of the three criteria sections can be indexed or given a percentage value which can subsequently be applied to a default ratio (for example a-50%, b=30%, c=20%).

Figure 9B illustrates how data objects may have the same overall value but comprising internally of different values of a), b) and c). Artificial adjusting of one value criteria by a multiple or percentage will produce different order results (for example value b may be of high importance in the user's search query, and so the importance ration of value b is increased, and in this example it is doubled, producing a different result order. Value b in this case has twice as much influence on the display as it usually has. This method can also be applied to, for example, al, a2, a3, and the like.

Figure 10a illustrates how perspective can be added to the y-axis to provide the data units/window with the appearance of having a front or top view 502. The data units are sized according to their value, giving the impression of depth. Adjustments can be made in the y scale logarithm, which allows for lesser of greater differentiation between sizes of data units, as shown in figures 10b and 10c.

Figures 11a and 11b illustrates how size and depth of the data units/windows can be calculated and displayed on the display screen. The arrangements of the data units in the spiral graphical representation allow more data units to be displayed on the display screen at any particular time.

Figures 12a-12c illustrate how data units plotted on the graphical representations 504, 506 based on relevance criteria can be displayed on a display screen as shown directly above the graphical representations. The examples of data units A-D are translated from positions on the graphical representations of 504, 506 to relative positions on the display screen based on their x, y, and/or z coordinates. The plotted data units 510 are shown, as they would be on a display screen, based on their graphical positions from 504 without depth. The data units 512 based on units 510 are shown, as they would be on a display screen, with depth calculations or Z coordinates applied.

Figure 12b shows the data units 514 displayed on a display screen based on a spiral graphical representation 506 and figure 12c shows the data units 516 with depth calculations or z coordinates applied. Providing the data units based on a spiral graphical representation allows more data units to be displayed on the display screen at any particular time.

Thus it will be understood from the above description that the Present invention provides a novel interface providing an improved method of retrieving and viewing data units, thereby enabling a user to easily and quickly access data corresponding to a particular query,

Claims

Claims:- 1 . A visual data interface for an electronic device, said electronic device including a display screen, processing means, memory means in or connected to the electronic device and means for identifying and displaying a number of data units on the display screen in response to a user's query and wherein said number of data units are provided with x, y and/or z coordinates for positioning of the data units at appropriate positions on the display screen according to the relevance of the data units to the user's query, the x, y and/or z coordinates being calculated from a physical and/or virtual graphical representation of each data unit against one or more relevance criteria and/or relative to one of the identified data units.
2. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the form of graphical representation displayed on the display screen is selectable by the user using control means.
3. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the relevance criteria include any or any combination of heuristic factors, the number of times the terms of the user's query is identified in the da-ta unit, the number of times the data unit has been identified and/or accessed in a pre-determined period of time, the relative position of the apex of the data object within a local or remote network hierarchy, the relative position to the required subject of the data object within a pre-existing index, the file size of the data object, the alphabetical position or the data object, the relative date associated with the data object and/or the like.

<Desc/Clms Page number 24>
4. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the interface is provided with a user's query input box which is displayed on the display screen to enable a user to input one or more keywords and/or queries.
5. An interface according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the number of data units displayed on the display screen has forward and/or backward links to other data units.
6. An interface according to claim 5 wherein for one or more of the data units an end screen exists, such that on selection of the data unit or units, a final configuration is reached where there are no further forward links to other data units.
7. An interface according to claim 6 wherein the end screen is provided as a PIP window.
S. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the data units are viewed as icons on the display screen.
9. An interface according to claim 1 wherein one or more navigational keys are provided on the display screen to enable a user to move through data units displayed on the display screen.
10. An interface according to claim 1 wherein a remote control handset, control buttons on the electronic device and/or voice recognition/ activation can be used to input a user's query and/or navigate through the interface.
11. An interface according to claim 1 wherein a threshold level determining the number of data units displayed on the

<Desc/Clms Page number 25>

screen in response to a particular user's query is set by the processing means or by the user of the device.
12. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the size, the shape, the transparency and/or colour of the data unit is determined by the relevance of the data unit to the user's query.
13. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the interface is provided with visual means to illustrate the route and/or selection of the data units by the user since the latest user's query.
14. An interface according to claim 13 wherein one or more data units displayed by the visual means is/are selectable by the user.
15. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the graphical representation is in the form of a type of plotted curve.
16. An interface according to claim 15 wherein the curve represents the mean, mode, median and/or percentage relevance of the data units for the one or more relevance criteria.
17. An interface according to claim 15 wherein the curve is a bell shaped curve.
18. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the data units previously selected by the user in response to a particular user's query are provided as tags at the periphery of the screen or other suitable location and user selection of said tag

<Desc/Clms Page number 26>

displays the previous data unit and/or original screen display including that data unit.
19. An interface according to claim 1 wherein following a user's query and/or selection of a data unit on the display screen, the one or more display units displayed as a result of this selection appear on the screen as if from a remote point on the display screen.
20. An interface according to claim 1 wherein the data units displayed in response to a user's query are superimposed on the display screen over an existing window display or application window display.
21. An interface according to claim 1 wherein a user's query output and path taken by the user through one or more data units is stored in the memory.
22. An interface according to claim 1 wherein predetermined data units and/or further links to other data units are previously compiled by a virtual and/or physical expert and stored in the memory for selection in response to a user's query.
23. An interface according to claim 1 wherein one or more of the data units are provided with one or more security features, such that security clearance is first required to be input by the user into the device before the data units can be displayed and/or accessed.
24. A method of using a visual data interface for an electronic device, said electronic device including a display screen, processing means, memory means in or connected to

<Desc/Clms Page number 27>

the electronic device and a means for identifying and displaying one or more data units on the display screen in response to a user's query and wherein said method includes the step of inputting a query into said device, identifying and selecting a number of data units for display on the display screen based on the relevance of the data units to the user's query, providing the selected data units with x, y and/or z coordinates for positioning the data units at appropriate positions on the display screen according to the relevance of the units to the user's query, the x, y and/or z coordinates being calculated from a physical and/or virtual graphical representation of each data units against one or more relevance criteria and/or relative to one of the identified data units.
25. An interface as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.