GB2393624A

GB2393624A - Three-dimensional database

Info

Publication number: GB2393624A
Application number: GB0211707A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-22
Filing date: 2002-05-22
Publication date: 2004-03-31
Also published as: GB0211707D0

Abstract

In a post-industrial age information is an increasingly important product in its own right. Industrial progress was achieved largely through the automation of routine mechanical or process activities. We have not yet seen the same progress with the information age. The novel method described here demonstrates one way of achieving a degree of automation with information processes. This is done by the realisation of multi-dimensional and multi-level information structures, and subsequently populating these structures with relevant content. The realisation of these innovations is described, through the application of process and software automation, dissemination of information content and creating shared structures between the providers and users of information. That this topic is largely unaddressed points to the non-obvious nature of the novel methods described.

Description

23g3624 ( Methods and Processes for the realization of multi-

dimensional, multi-level information structures enabling content organization, navigation, interaction and transactions within stand-alone or across networked single or multiple devices Scope of the Invention The present invention relates to the realization of methods and processes and hardware and software programrnes and devices to create and share structured information frameworks within and across a multitude of users, devices, networks and content providers using shared categorizations and hardware and software iteratively applied to build information structures, and using software and hardware applications and prograrnmes and processes to enable user interaction with said information structures. Copyright Notice Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to

copyright. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark

office patent file or records but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Background

Various studies by Paul Straussman (1985), by John Young at the time he was CEO of Hewlett Packard in a study for the US White House, and by others, have shown that despite significant investments in information technology there has been no discernable general impact on the productivity output of goods and services. Rather than automatically increasing white-collar productivity, technology has to be seen as a twoedged sword, capable of hindering productivity as easily as improving it. E-mail inundation, junk and spam e-mail, over-use of document redrafting capabilities, over-

use of e-mail distribution lists and the deluge of information on web sites has all added to information overload. Not surprisingly many feel we are going backwards not forwards with information and technology.

Problem The classic definition of information is that it reduces uncertainty. Yet increasingly with the presence of information technology we see an increase not a decrease in uncertainty- more data than information.

To overcome the limitations of prior art new and more powerful methods of

information interaction are required and the novel methods described here demonstrate how to improve information productivity by structuring information and data into organised groupings and enabling the navigation of said information structures. The origins of the problems which the current invention addresses can be seen to go back some 20 years when the first Graphical User Interfaces (GUI's) were invented by Xerox at its Palo Alto Research Centre (PARC). In the late 1970's by today's standards there were significant limitations in the amount of computational power to drive the user interface with icons, pointers and document and file representations on the screen of the Visual Display Unit (VDU). The analogy that Xerox developed for these first GUI's - which still exists largely unchanged today some 20 years later -

was that of the "desktop". A flat surface on top of which documents, files, icons and other indicators or links could be displayed. This last 20 years has bought more vendors into play, including Apple and Microsoft, and colour has been bought to the desktop analogy but the flat twodimensional desktop remains largely unchanged for the vast majority of end-users.

Yet in the same twenty years there has been a huge increase in the availability of computer power, and a corresponding decrease in its relative cost. There is now an abundance of power for processing text, data, images, graphics and video content and presentation but the applications to exploit such power have been missing, apart from Computer Aided Design (CAD) and computer gaming. This current novel invention shows how such available power can be used for three-dimensional business and consumer applications other than CAD and gaming.

This novel method demonstrates how it is possible to use the readily available processing and graphics capability to deliver alternatives to the flat desktop analogy by creating multi-dimensional information structures for users to explore, navigate and interact with. Such a userinterface revolution or paradigm shift opens up new vistas for again trying to improve white-collar productivity and information and entertainment experiences through the deployment of multi-dimensional information structures and experiences.

Essential Features The description of the essential feature is designed to show in principle the novel

method. We recognise that one skilled in the art will be able to define many variations and modifications thereof, and this claim is for both the principle method and

variations and modifications thereof. There are also many computer languages and methods of hardware and software combinations to realise the innovations detailed below. Again our claims are not restricted to any one or more computer languages but apply across all software and computer languages and combinations and all hardware and software combinations to realise the same or similar ends.

Nor does our description refer only to one particular shape, although in the examples

we use the shape of a CUBE for convenience. Rather the invention and the steps of realisation can be used in relation to any regular or irregular shape, and our method of invention is not restricted to any particular shape or group of shapes.

( The realization of a multi-dimensional, multi-level information structure consists of some or all of the following steps and such variations and modifications as will be obvious to someone skilled in the art.

Step 1 Select and create conceptually and then in processes and software and computer hardware and networks a multi-dimensional object based on any shape including polygon extended to three or more dimensions l ball, sphere or other shape l Step 2 Iteratively apply the process in Step 1 to create a collection of shapes organised in some fashion.

Step 3 Organise said shapes created in Steps I and 2 into multi-level clusters with higher-level clusters enclosing lower level clusters Step 4 Create a texture to go on the outside or all sides, including if need be inside, of the shapes so the shapes themselves when selected or required acquire a solid, semi-solid or transparent form.

Step 5 Provide the capability to put information on or within the textures, such information including any combination of text, data, image, graphics, sound, pictures, video or other media objects as representations of any elements contained within or related to any particular shape.

Step 6 Provide user control for the rotation, extraction, replacement, inclusion or selection of particular shapes or clusters to allow one or more of the shapes to be rotated around any axis up to 360 degrees, together or independently. Step 7 Provide software routines or combinations of hardware and software routines and re-calculations to provide visual integrity of the texture and information on the texture as the shape is rotated, thereby providing an apparently rotating threedimensional object within the flat physical characteristics of a display screen, VDU, or other display or interaction device.

Step 8 Create software or software and hardware, locally in devices and/or across local or wide area networks and related computer devices in the same or different geographic regions or entities, so any media images or objects or links on one or more shapes follows the rules of perspective or desired and computed variations thereof, as the shape is spun, rotated, enlarged or shrunk, opened or closed, with the same or different images on the outsides or insides of shapes or both, as the shapes are manipulated.

Step 9 Having created a structure, given it organization and texture and provided further information on or in the structure, having placed its rotation and actions under some form of automated or user control a

( next step is to deliver information, periodically or continuously individually or in streams, unicast or multicast or delivered in some other way such that the information streams relate to the structured and categorized information on the textured surfaces so users can not just navigate the information surfaces and information categories but can also drill down into the detail of information and entertainment within a shape or shapes, or group or groups or clusters of shapes.

Step 10 Another possible step is to link the created information structures under user control to further static or dynamic information sources including but not limited to web pages and web services, portals, documents, games, databases of data and information and other established or new information streams including multi-media streams The above is an indicative sequence to create the novel information structure although the novel method described here covers other steps and sequences that someone skilled in the art would have no difficulty in specifying.

Introduction to Drawings.

Figure 1 This shows the dominant prior art of a two-dimensional interface

interacting with hardware, software, networks, devices and content Figure 2 Shows the same elements with a three-dimensional interface, illustrating how the change to a three-dimensional interface permeates each and every aspect of the technology and information infrastructure to provide a holistic experience for the end-user with such content and technology systems and sub-systems. In this particular example a cube shape is shown but other three-dimensional shapes are also possible.

Figure 3 This figure indicates the variety of elements that are implicated in the shift from two dimensions to three dimensions for the content, the structure, the user interface and the user interaction. In this example the various components are bought together into a seamless managed service to deliver content, interactions, transactions and activity monitoring for end users as individuals or groups.

Figure 4 This shows one embodiment of the invention into an organised information structure of cubes, although other shapes are equally possible, created by the iterative application of the method and process.

The resultant object can be rotated in any dimension and elements selected in a number of ways including, but not restricted to, point and click or double or multiple click with one or more mouse buttons or controls, keyboard or voice or touch control, joystick or similar device.

Figure 5 Shows an object that has been selected which comes into foreground, and in this case is being returned to the structure with a different texture to indicate the element has been opened and examined.

( Figure 6 and 7 These figures show another object, again a cube in this illustration, being rotated in the three dimensions, showing the richness of the interface and the information structure, and the ease of selection of any individual element. Figure 7 also shows how the icons on corner positions have two or even three faces open for inspection, whereas, for example in this particular illustration the very central cube is not visible although it can still be accessed via keyboard and other commands. Figure 8 Illustrates how, when an object comes into foreground the shape itself forms a backdrop for further more detailed information, including in this instance links to associated datasheets providing more detailed information. With the foreground shape rotating there are a number of sides - in this example a total of 6 - that can be used for information display. Figure 9 This Figure illustrates the multi-level opportunities available with the novel method and process so that different combinations can encompass, and in turn be encompassed by the shapes. This example indicates the power of the novel method with in this particular case 8 high level domains - with six faces each if required - a set of subordinate child structures in this case formed by 26 visible cubes and one invisible one, and for each of those shapes and faces a further more detailed structure showing up to six faces of subordinate or more detailed information.

Figure 10 Illustrates how the whole information structure and navigation and user interface can be given further shape and form with the additional of further information cues relating to context, content and navigation, in addition to the texture, relative position or location and organisation of the information structure.

Figure 11 Shows the addition of further relevant information views relative to an information structure being navigated.

These figures are illustrative of the power of the method and show how the realisation is not restricted to a particular software framework or method, but can be realised in a number of ways dependent on the skills and experience of the person skilled in the art who wants to apply the method. Further clarification and insight into the method can be obtained by providing examples of a range of possible applications, although the list is not intended to be exhaustive and one skilled in the art will have no difficulty in thinking of other relevant applications.

( Examples

The novel method described here can be applied in many different situations for many different applications, limited only by the individuals imagination given a knowledge of the prior art and an understanding of the novel methods presented here. For the

purpose of clarity a selection of example applications are provided to show some of the scope and depth of this novel method.

Personal Computer Interaction The method can be used to provide a three dimensional interactive experience for users of personal computers, personal digital assistants, palm tops, lap tops, PC or Web Tablets and other similar devices Networked Computer Interaction The same three dimensional user experience can be provided to users of networked computers across both local area and wide area networks, separately and in combination Web Site Interaction The three dimensional experience can be applied to web site material Intranet or Portal or Corporate Portalor The novel method can be used for Extranet or Vertical Portal or E- material, contents and interaction for Commerce Portal Intranets or Software Portals Database Interaction The method can be applied to selecting and interacting with information from databases of different sorts Personal, Corporate, Enterprise or The method applies to all forms of Organisational information stores and information display and interaction for any repositories and electronic catalogues individual, group or organization Electronic catalogues Likewise the method can be used for static or interactive electronic catalogues of a variety of types including but not limited to house details for estate agents, job details for recruitment firms and products for product sales organizations Mobile Phone display of information The method extends easily to the display of information on a mobile phone with a screen or similar display device Digital TV Interaction The method has applicability to interactive

TV activity for information, entertainment, communications, transactions and other

( groups of activity, with if required the same or similar interface on the TV, the mobile phone, the stand-alone and Internet PC, and other intelligent devices.

Information Kiosk Activities The method applies equally well to information kiosk activities of a variety of types and purposes Other intelligent device display and The novel method can be used for a interaction variety of types of intelligent devices including in-car entertainment and information systems, home entertainment, information and security systems, and educational solutions Electronic Programme Guides The method can be used for the three dimensional display of electronic programmes guides and associated material, including preview clips and ordering and paying for additional optional items of information, communication, entertainment and transaction activity.

Software applications of various types The novel method has obvious including but not limited to personal and applications to these software group productivity tools e.g. word programmer, and the content contained processor, spreadsheets, presentation therein, both in their traditional two graphics and other software dimensional forms and in any multi-

dimensional variations thereof Personal or Group tools such as Being able to display information in three Calendar, Diary, To Do list, Task Lists, dimensions and link the different Schedulers, Planners and similar dimensions to each other opens up new opportunities for products and services and software for applications like a three dimensional time and task manager using the novel methods described here, separate from or within a more inclusive two or three dimensional Portal.

Software packages including business The features and functionality of the novel planning and business information, methods described here are ideal for a Executive Information Systems and wide variety of personal and business Solutions, Accounting Packages, solutions for information selection, Information Packages, Presentation and organization and interaction, amongst Planning Packages including Project and other things Programme Management and so on

Gaming applications for individuals or Many current games are already three groups, as stand-alone applications or dimensional, but while the game itself may for playing across networks of various be three dimensional the contextual types interface can still be two dimensional without the novel methods described here Music and Video information selection, The novel methods are ideal for providing playing and payment receptacles for audio, video and other forms of multi-media information. Not only can an item be played but other faces of the structure can be used to display artist, product and other information and even be a basis for transactions Public Information Kiosks and Displays Whenever there is a need to display simple or complex information the novel methods described here can present the information and interaction in different and novel ways quite distinct from prior art.

Shop Displays Likewise in-shop, in-store or in-location displays can be used to present information in three-dimensional interactive formats.

Central and Local Government The are major efforts to put Government information displays and Enterprise information, both Central and Local, on Information, Charity Information and line and the novel methods described here other similar information interaction allows for this to happen easily and applications effectively from the point of view of user interaction and content organization Personal Information records including Information is sometimes difficult to historical records, financial information, locate and the in-built information medical records, transaction information organiser function of this novel method and logs and such like allow the solution to be used in a variety of applications that require the organization of data and information.

Access and presentation of information Much data and information is locked into from legacy databases, individually or in legacy databases on a variety of computer combination with other information, and software systems. Using extraction one-way or two way, using if required techniques and the novel presentation the ability to display different method it is possible to extract information inforrnationon different faces from multiple databases and present the information extracted on different faces of a shape, thereby permitting user interaction with an apparently unified system without the need for systems integration activity.

( Tourist information displays and Information on a region, its attractions, information for regional or local portals skills, resources and business activities is orlnternet resources often useful to business and consumer visitors to electronic information sources and corresponding physical or virtual locations and the novel method of information packaging makes it easy for the non-expert user to find the information they are looking for.

Indirect applications in the products and Software and novel methods of the sort services of others for example graphics described can be applied directly or they designers, webmasters, hardware can be applied by third parties or others engineers, manufactures and such like removed from the origination of the method and such indirect use is a possible application of the novel methods described Device manufactures with hardware or The novel methods can extend to hardware hardware and software and display and other devices embodying the facsimiles of the novel methods principles of information organization and described here in, for example, display es described in the method.

intelligent web or Internet Protocol phones with multi-dimensional displays, electronic time managers, in-home entertainment and security systems and such like Information Interaction from an Internet Service Providers, developers of or Application Service Provider, Applications and Business Process Systems Integrators or similar, Digital solutions, and information and TV or mobile phone provider entertainment providers for TV, PC, Mobile Phone and other devices can use the novel methods described here to deliver their various services Educationalmaterial The novel methods can be used for the organization and display of education material in schools and institutes of higher education and for ongoing and lifetime training for individuals or used by institutions and organizations for the ongoing training and development of employees and customers

( References and Related Material Ansell & Cherenson 2000 Conditional Delivery of Digitized Products Patent WO 00/22495 Agrawal et al 1997 Method for high Dimensionality Indexing in a Multi Media Database US Patent 5,647,058 Agrawal et al 1998 Method and System for Performing Range-Sum Queries on a Data Cube US Patent 5,799,300 Agrawal et al 1998 Database System and Method Employing Data Cube Operator for Group-By Operations US Patent 5,832,475

Bayer R 1998 Database and Management Process for n-dirnensional data structure DE 19635429A Benayoun 1999 Navigation Method in 3D ComputerGenerated Pictures by Hyper 3D Navigator 3D Image Manipulation WO 00/42495

BenHaDi Farid and 3D graphical User Interfaces Dybuer Erik 1999 Department of Computer and Systems Sciences Stockholm University and The Royal Institute of Technology British Telecom 1995 Service Provision Systems for Communications Networks (British Telecom 1995 WO 95/30317 British Telecom 1998 A System and Method for the co-ordination and control of information supply using a distributed multi-agent platform, European Patent Application EP 0 967 545 Al) Cline & Lorensen 1999 3D Surfaces generated from a List of Cubic Elements US Patent 5,900,880 Chirieleison et al 1998 Virtual Reality Warehouse System Complement WO 99/61967

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Egger et al 1996 Method and Apparatus for Indexing, Searching and Displaying Data US Patent 5,832,494 Galumbeck et al Communications System having an Addressable Receiver US Patent 4,725,886 Hitachi 1997 Method for Table Graphic Display and Processing IP 09-081114A

Liaw et al 1996 System and Method for Multi-Dimensional Information Processing US Patent 5,572,644 Monson 1995 Animated Map Display Method for Computer Controlled Agricultural Product Application Equipment US Patent 5,751,576 Olsson 1999 Information Routing, Ericsson Telecommunications Patent Application WO 99/36864 Philips 1997 Spatial Browsing Approach to Multimedia Information Retrieval WO 98/53391 Pooser & Pooser 1996 User Interface Navigational System and Method for Interactive Representation of Information Contained within a Database US Patent 5,812,134 Ross 1979 Multiple Group Membership, Social Mobility and Intergroup Relations. An Investigation of Group Boundaries and Boundary Crossings. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Bristol, England.

Ross 1992 "Information Technology - the Catalyst for Change" PA Consulting Group, Mercury Books, ISBN 1 85251 042 0

Ross & Ioannou 1996 - 215' Century Content Engines In "Digital Newsrooms of the Future" - Seybold Report on Publishing Systems Vol. 25 Number 18, ISSN: 0736 7260 June, 1996 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, l Processing and Interaction. l GB 9915894.1

Ross 1999 (d) Multi-dimensional Computer Supported Communications Using Database Linking and a Visual Language Interface GB 9915895.8

Ross 2000 Methods for navigation, Personalisation and Temporal Organisation within Structured Multi-Dimensional Information Processing GB 0001508.1

Ross 2000 Methods for Transmitting information to individuals and Groups by Exploiting Locality Factors whilst Preserving User Privacy GB 0001510.7

Ross 2000 A Method for Ubiquitous Delivery of Information and Transaction Content across Differentiated Media Channels in a Managed and Coordinated Manner GB 0008824.5

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Ross 2001 Multi-Dimensional Human-Computer-Content Processing Using Iterative, Structured, Shared Categorisation Cycles GB 0113613.4

Ross 2001 A Method for Multi-dimensional Processing and Interaction Using Iterative Categorisation Cycles and Multiple Overlapping Categorisations GB 01113614.2

( Ross 2001 A Method using Iterative Categorisation Cycles for Integrated Multi-Device Compound Document Structure, Creation, Representation, Processing and Interaction GB 0113615.9

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Ross 2001 Methods of Iterative Categorisation for Navigation, Personalisation and Temporal Organisation within Structured Multidimensional Information processing GB 0113617.5

Ross 2001 Methods of Iterative Cycles of Categorisation with Persistent Connectivity for Information Exchange and Transactions within MultiDevice Environments GB 0113618.3

Ross 2001 Methods for Transmitting Information to IndividuaLs and Groups by Cyclical Categorisation, Exploiting Locality whilst Preserving Privacy GB 0113619.1

Ross 2001 Methods for Iterative Categorisation for Managed Ubiquitous Delivery of Information and Transactions across Differentiated Media Channels GB 0113620.9

Ross 2001 Methods of Iterative Categorisation for Maintaining Information and Transaction Co-ordination across Differentiated Media Types via Multiple End-to-End Persistent Links GB 0113621.7

Ross 2001 Methods for Maintaining Action and Interaction Coherence across Differentiated Media ChanneLs by Preserving End-to-End Integrity across Multiple Boundaries GB 0113607.6

Ross 2001 Methods for Information Interaction using both Mobile and Fixed Communications and Single and Multi-screen Displays for Enhanced Functionality, Transaction Integrity, Security and Usability GB 0113747.0

( Saxe A.N.G. 1997 Method and System for Selectively targeting Advertisements and Programming US Patent 5,636,346 Shaw et al 2000 Method and Apparatus for Delivering Electronic Advocacy

Messages Patent WO 00/20975 Sony Corporation 1991 European Patent 0 489 576 A2 Spyglass (1999) Content Conversion of Electronic Documents GB Patent Application 2 344 197 Staussmann P (1985) Information Payoff: The Transformation of Work in the Electronic Age (New York,: Free Press 1985 Wolf et al (1998) Method of Performing a Parallel Relational Database Query in a Multiprocessor Environment US Patent 5,765,146

Claims

Claims Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to

secure by Patent is: 1. I claim a Method and Process tor the realization of data onto a device or devices within or across fixed or mobile or wireless networks or any combinations thereof to create information structures in three dimensions such as to allow navigation and interaction and transactions within and between said information structures by a user or users ot' said devices and said intormation said structures achieved by creating representations of shapes in software tor display in three dimensions with up to 36() degrees otHnovcrnent.

by duplicating said shapes to create structures, by clustering or organizing such clusters to create superstructures and so on, by giving texture to the shapes and structures and by populating one or more shapes with labels ot' information with text, pictures graphics video, sound or other cicrnents or combinations, and linking said labels and textures with underlying int'ormation elements or streams.

2. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied iteratively to create hierarchical or multiple three dimensional information structures for user interaction, navigation and transaction 3. The Method and Proeess of Claim I extended to achieve backward compatibility with two dimensional information elements and structures such that any created threedimensional information structure and space can also link to and display in suitable areas two dimensional representation of non-

three dimensional information elements, components, aggregates or structures.

4. Thc Method and Process of Claim I applied in principle and practice to the interfaces ol'different devices with dift'erent processing, display, physical and application properties such that each and every device can, it' required, display similar, equivalent or less functionally rich three dimensional information and structures whilst maintaining a degree of t:amily resemblance and commonality within, between and across dit't'erent devices including but not limited to the Visual Display Unit, Personal Computer, Personal Digital Assistants, Palm Top and Tablet Devices, Mobile devices including computers and telephones.

Fixed line telephones, information kiosks, computer display boards and devices, Set Top Boxes, Digital Televisions, other Home Entertainment Systems and other similar devices one skilled in the art would have no difficulty identifying.

S. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to aggregations of data and information of single or multi-media types including but not limited to text, data, graphics, pictures, voice and video, from single or multiple sources such that content is organized into similar information structures for common navigation, interaction and transaction across single or multiple devices..

6. The Method and Proeess of Claim I extended to the creation of discrete and organized information structures hased on processes ot' categorization and 1.S

classification early in the cycle of information processing, said structures I' being shared between the providers of products, services and solutions, and the users of said structures on one or more devices to deliver information, interaction or transaction products, services, or solutions as packages of software and information services, or hardware software and network products, scrviecs or solutions and information services, such information services being organized in the multidimensional structures and clusters as described. 7. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied to Personal Computer Interaction, Intert;aces and file organization t'or.;ottware processes. content and Interaction. X. The Method and Process ot Claim I applied to Networked Computer Interaction. Intert:aces and File organization Or software. processes. content and interaction.

9. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Web Site creation, design, deployment, interaction and hosting in local or remote data eentres within and across networks of various types.

1(). The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Intranets, or Portals or Corporate or Commercial Portals or Extranets or Vertical or Horizontal Portals or E-Commeree or E-transaetion Portals or Community Portals, including billing or payment aggregators and providers.

11. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied to Electronic Catalogues displaying information in three or two and three dimensions or structures, including electronic directories.

12. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied to Mobile Phone or PDA or Palm Top Device displays of information or interaction or transaction.

13. The Method and Process ol Claim I applied to Digital TV interaction for information interaction or prograrnme interaction including voting and payment tor goods or services 14. The Method and Process ot Claim I applied to Information Kiosk instructions, displays, activities, interactions or transactions.

IS. The Method and Process ot Claim 1 applied to other intelligent device displays and interactions including hut not Ihnited to in-car entertainment and information systems, home information. entertainment and security systems and educational solutions t'or Teachers, Pupils, Parents or Administrations or other relevant groups If,. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied to Electronic Programme Guides to provide information or interaction or transactions including the display of deeper or complementary information relating to programmed

17. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Software Applications of I various types including but not limited to personal and group productivity tools such as word processor. spreadsheets, presentation graphics, databases or other software supported applications such as directories.

I X. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Personal or Group Ttxls such as Calendar, Diary, To, lists Task Lists, Schedulers, Planners or similar that someone skilled in the art would have no difficulty identifying.

19. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to software packages including business planning and business information, Executive Information Systems and Solutions, Accounting Packages, Int'ormation Packages, Presentation or Planning Packages, Project or Pr,gramme Management or other similar Applications that can be identified by anyone t:amiliar with the art.

2(). The Method and Process ot Claim I applied to Gaming Applications t'or individuals or groups, as stand-alone games or network games 21. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to entertainment devices playing alone or in combination music, video or other infotainment material 22. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Devices used within public or private information kiosks or similar displays and devices 23. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied to electronic devices used as shop or other information displays 24. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied to the organization and presentation of central or local government information, Enterprise information, Charity or Educational information.

25. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Personal information records including historical records, financial information, medical records.

transaction information, logs or similar 26. The Method and Process ot Claim I applied to the access, presentation or interaction within information trom legacy systems and databases, including the presentation of information from ditterent systems onto different traces or elements of the information structures 27. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Tourist information displays and information tor regional or local portals or directories 28. The Method and Proeess of Claim I applied to software development tools and kits to support designers, artists publishers, aggregators and others creating digital content material 29. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to the physical realization of devices with intert:aces and/or displays that create and display instructions and interactions and transactions in multi- dimensional int'ormation structures.

l 30. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to Information or Transactions provided by an internet service provider, application service provider, full service provider' systems integrator' consultancy, software company, information utility, fixed or telecommunications service provider, Internet Protocol services delivery provider or similar 31. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to the display, interaction or transaction of educational material for individuals andlor institutions.

32. The Method and Process of Claim I applied to other similar applications, processes or functions that someone skilled in the art would have no difficulty .... If: enttymg.

IX

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. I claim a method and process for realising in software programmer multi-

dimensional, multi-level facetted information structures by creating said structures, sharing them at points in the content distribution chain, by populating said structures with relevant and consistent content, which may itself be organised into multidimensional structures, to enable content organization, navigation, interaction and transactions within stand-alone or across networked single or multiple devices such that users can navigate similar or equivalent information structures on different devices in a coordinated manner across those devices even with different display and interaction characteristics 2. The method and process of Claim I with the additional step of discrete and bounded areas maintaining their visual appearance according to rules of perspective and their relative positions during rotation, as well as creating child structures when parent structures are selected or activated, with child cubes appearing in relative positions in foreground or background according to

requirements and rules of perspective, software engines and user choice 3. The method and process of Claim I and Claim 2 with the additional step of labelling grandparent, parent, child, and grandchild structures and extensions thereof to provide text, visual, photographic or visual or other cues and indicators to indicate positioning within the semantic structure, with relative positions to other components or structures denoting similarity along one or more dimensions, with indicative labels or icons changing if and as required when structured information shapes transform to higher or lower level multidimensional information structure 4. I claim a Method and Process for the realisation of data and information and media objects onto a device or devices within or across fixed or mobile or wireless networks or combinations thereof to create information structures in three dimensions shred at points within the cycle of information creation, delivery and interaction, such as to allow navigation and interaction and transactions within and between said information structures by a user or users of said devices and said information, said structures achieved by creating representations of shapes in software for display in three dimensions on display units with up to 360 degrees of movement, by duplicating said shapes to create structures, by clustering or organising such clusters to create superstructures and so on, by giving texture to the shapes and structures and by populating one or more shapes with labels of information with text, pictures In

graphics video, sound or other elements or combinations, and linking said labels and textures with underlying information elements or streams to allow for consistent user navigation and interaction across different devices with the same user experience and navigational cues.

5. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied iteratively to create hierarchical or multiple three dimensional information structures for user interaction, navigation and transaction 6. The Method and Process of Claim 4 extended to achieve backward compatibility with two dimensional information elements and structures such that any created threedimensional information structure and space can also link to and display in suitable areas two dimensional representation of non-

three dimensional information elements, components, aggregates or structures.

7. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied in principle and practice to the interfaces of different devices with different processing, display, physical and application properties such that each and every device can, if required, display similar, equivalent or less functionally rich three dimensional information and structures whilst maintaining a degree of family resemblance and commonality within, between and across different devices including but not limited to the Visual Display Unit, Personal Computer, Personal Digital Assistants, Palm Top and Tablet Devices, Mobile devices including computers and telephones.

Fixed line telephones, information kiosks, computer display boards and devices, Set Top Boxes, Digital Televisions, other Home Entertainment Systems and other similar devices one skilled in the art would have no difficulty identifying.

8. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to aggregations of data and information of single or multi-media types including but not limited to text, data, graphics, pictures, voice and video, from single or multiple sources such that content is organised into similar information structures for common navigation, interaction and transaction across single or multiple devices..

9. The Method and Process of Claim 4 extended to the creation of discrete and organised information structures, based on processes of categorization and classification early in the cycle of information processing, said structures being shared between the providers of products, services and solutions, and the users of said structures on one or more devices to deliver information, interaction or transaction products, services, or solutions as packages of software and information services, or hardware software and network products, services or solutions and information services, such information services being organised in the multi-dimensional structures and clusters as described. 10. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Personal Computer Interaction, Interfaces and file organization for software, processes, content and interaction.

( 11. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Networked Computer Interaction, Interfaces and File organization for software, processes, content and interaction.

12. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Web Site creation, design, deployment, interaction and hosting in local or remote data eentres within and across networks of various types.

13. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Intranets, or Portals or Corporate or Commercial Portals or Extranets or Vertical or Horizontal Portals or E-Commerce or E-transaetion Portals or Community Portals, including billing or payment aggregators and providers.

14. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Electronic Catalogues displaying information in three or two and three dimensions or structures, including electronic directories.

15. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Mobile Phone or PDA or Palm Top Device displays of information or interaction or transaction.

16. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Digital TV interaction for information interaction or programme interaction including voting and payment for goods or services 17. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Information Kiosk instructions, displays, activities, interactions or transactions.

18. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to other intelligent device displays and interactions including but not limited to in-car entertainment and information systems, home information, entertainment and security systems and educational solutions for Teachers, Pupils, Parents or Administrations or other relevant groups 19. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Electronic Programme Guides to provide information or interaction or transactions including the display of deeper or complementary information relating to programmer 20. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Software Applications of various types including but not limited to personal and group productivity tools such as word processor, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, databases or other software supported applications such as directories.

21. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Personal or Group Tools such as Calendar, Diary, To Do list, Task Lists, Schedulers, Planners or similar that someone skilled in the art would have no difficulty identifying.

22. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to software packages including business planning and business information, Executive Information Systems and Solutions, Accounting Packages, Information Packages, Presentation or

( Planning Packages, Project or Programme Management or other similar Applications that can be identified by anyone familiar with the art.

23. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Gaming Applications for individuals or groups, as stand-alone games or network games 24. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to entertainment devices playing alone or in combination music, video or other infotainment material 25. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Devices used within public or private information kiosks or similar displays and devices 26. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to electronic devices used as shop or other information displays 27. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to the organization and presentation of central or local government information, Enterprise information, Charity or Educational information.

28. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Personal information records including historical records, financial information, medical records, transaction information, logs or similar 29. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to the access, presentation or interaction within information from legacy systems and databases, including the presentation of information from different systems onto different faces or elements of the information structures 30. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Tourist information displays and information for regional or local portals or directories 31. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to software development tools and kits to support designers, artists publishers, aggregators and others creating digital content material 32. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to the physical realisation of devices with interfaces and/or displays that create and display instructions and interactions and transactions in multi-dimensional information structures.

33. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to Information or Transactions provided by an internet service provider, application service provider, full service provider, systems integrator, consultancy, software company, information utility, fixed or telecommunications service provider, Internet Protocol services delivery provider or similar 34. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to the display, interaction or transaction of educational material for individuals and/or institutions.

( 35. The Method and Process of Claim 4 applied to other similar applications, processes or functions that someone skilled in the art would have no difficulty identifying. 36. A method and system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein software and hardware and systems and networks are used to create multidimensional, multilevel information structures, such structures appearing as interfaces on devices of various types and capabilities and sizes and functionalities, with structures populated with one or more items of information content, which itself can be organised into a multidimensional structure if required, to permit consistent user interfaces and interaction across multiple devices, networks and services providers and aggregators, with consistent and predictable navigation using a variety of means and methods, and with the ability to navigate to higher or deeper levels within one or more multidimensional structures, using the three dimensional capabilities of the interface to preserve navigation cues by using size, foreground, background

and other cues associated with perception and cognition as required, as indicated in Figures I to 11 of the associated drawings.

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