KR20020075896A - GUI has library metaphor based on non-euclidean geometry - Google Patents

Abstract

The data processing system has a GUI that allows the user to interact with the virtual environment. The environment has a graphical representation of the storage device based on the library metaper. The storage device is used to graphically store information items. The virtual environment has a path-dependent geometric figure. This allows modification of the storage device to add additional items without visually disturbing the organization of previously stored items.

Description

GUI has library metaphor based on non-euclidean geometry

US patent application 5,907,845 discloses the storage of on-line electronic books on remote storage devices. The books are accessible via a server or other type of interface device. Bookcases are created and stored on a local storage device. Appropriate electronic links are provided for accessing the e-book from the bookshelf. The bookshelf provides a library metaper that allows a user to organize the online books in a way that has meaning and utility to the user.

The library metaper in the GUI typically depicts a file system that shows cabinets, shelves, and icons such as documents organized in and on the cabinets. The icons are arranged and rearranged by the user.

The present invention relates to a graphical user-interface (GUI), and more particularly to a collection of visually organized items in a virtual library or virtual environment.

The invention is explained in greater detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 illustrate a graphical representation of a virtual environment using a library metaper.

Like numbers refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

The bookcase is a well known user-interface (UI) metaper for data stores. The known metaphers use 2-D or 3-D Euclidean geometric figure concepts. That is, they can be recreated as actual physical models while maintaining the perceived geometric shape of the virtual model represented on the display monitor. The basic visual appearance of such a UI is completely determined by the user's position and orientation with respect to the model as if it were real.

The problem with traditional metaphers is that when new items are added, existing items sometimes need to be reorganized. This means that the items must be shifted or repositioned so that they are no longer in the same position afterwards. This hinders the retrieval of visually derived information ("spatial memory") that the GUI is trying to facilitate correctly.

The inventor proposes to apply non-Euclidean geometric figure concepts to data storage in a virtual environment, for example represented by a bookcase metaper in a virtual environment. The present invention allows adding space at any location in the virtual environment without having to reorganize existing content. This is achieved, for example, by making at least some geometrical figures of the environment path-dependent.

To clarify the concept of non-Euclidean space, consider the fictional TARDIS device in the British sci-fi television series "Mr. Who". The device looks like a public telephone box occupying an area of approximately 1 meter by 1 meter from the outside. However, it is the same area as the mansion inside. This fictional device requires additional elements to specify its basic appearance from a given vantage point: In addition to the location and orientation of the user, the aspect is adapted to the probable point. Rely on the specific path. To clarify path-dependence, consider the following example. Someone is standing in a certain position and walks 10 steps from there. Then turn to the right and walk 10 steps. Then turn right again and walk 10 steps again. And finally turn to the right and walk the last 10 steps. In the Euclidean space, the person finds himself / herself back to the very location where he / she departed. There are non-Euclidean geometric figures that allow the person to finish at some other location.

1 is a diagram illustrating a library metaper used in the GUI. The GUI provides access to the virtual environment 100, which is a data storage device visually represented by a plurality of bookcases having shelf structures 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 as seen by the user. Grant. Structures 102, 106 and 108 are parallel to each other and divided by spaces 112 and 114, respectively. The bookshelves form a Euclidean space in this diagram. In other words, such data storage can be recreated as a 3D physical model in real life. In the virtual environment 100, the user can walk between the bookshelves in a similar manner as in a real three-dimensional world that is familiar to people.

The data storage device may, for example, contain soundtracks of a user's CD collection, movies of his / her DVD collection, copies of webpages stored locally by this user and categorized according to the subject or date or the like. It is used to present a list visually. Each particular of the graphical objects (not shown) on the shelves corresponds to a specific content information item. Clicking or selecting the object via the GUI activates the search mechanism. For example, the metaper may be used on the user's home network connecting the user's CD jukebox, the user's DVD jukebox, and the user's PC's HDD. The retrieval of a particular CD, DVD or electronic file is managed by a script that is initiated by the user clicking on the graphical object. In another example, a user can lease storage space on a remote server and organize his / her data through his / her client using a GUI. The storage service may provide editing tools to enable the user to create graphical representations of objects (eg, label them and add appropriate hyperlinks or scripts for retrieval of information items presented, etc.). .

The data storage device may also be shared by two or more users, such as for example a family or another social group, to provide shared services and the like. Privileges can be granted to the connection of certain things or all of information items or objects representing them and the like.

2 is a diagram of a transformed virtual environment 100. In this example, shelf structure 106 is converted to include shelf structures 204, 206, and 208 that can be connected through space 202. The user transforms the shelf structures, for example by pushing a portion of the structure 106 inwards (via the appropriate tools of the GUI in the virtual environment 100) as if it is a flexible deformable physical object. Because of the non-Euclidean geometry of this portion of the virtual environment 100, no additional space 202 is projected toward the space 114. That is, when the user creates the space 204 and then moves from the space 112 to the space 114 in the virtual environment 100, the space 114 of FIG. 2 is the same as before, that is, in FIG.

This concept of creating additional spaces in a virtual environment can be applied to further levels, for example organizing information items per shelf or per shelf compartment. For example, shelf 210 has compartments 212, 214, and 216. Compartment 212 may extend in a direction perpendicular to structure 102 to create space 218. Note that the unconverted shelves and compartments maintain their information visually organized across the shelves and compartments as before. The appearance of the spaces in the virtual environment need not be limited to box-shaped compartments and parts, and not only are designers deemed suitable, but also bent or irregularly shaped representations can be accepted.

Furthermore, environment 100 can be organized as a collection of spatial entities: multiple floors with multiple rooms or rooms, multiple floor buildings with rooms of cabinets, and the like. The library metaper allows the user to create or define additional cabinets, rooms, floors, buildings, and the like. Links between these spatial entities represent associations between sets of information items that may or may be stored in these entities. The links can be represented as paths or corridors that the user can program and connect two cabinets, rooms or buildings. At least locally non-Euclidean geometry allows the user to visualize links between the sets based on subject, history, function or other classification criteria. In a virtual environment with comprehensive Euclidean geometry, such visual links overlap each other or at least visually interfere with each other. When using a non-Euclidean geometric figure, the links represent themselves as simple paths.

In the aspect of the invention, consider the concept of "motorcycle" in all its parts. The collection of parts forms functional blocks such as oil pumps, engines, frames, transmissions, drive trains, and the like. Various engines may be paired with any of the plurality of flames and vice versa. Some transmissions can be used with multiple engines and vice versa. In order to design one specimen, such parts and sets of parts are combined such that optimum conditions such as acceleration, reliability, cost, or load-handling can be achieved under conditions in which the joined parts are compatible. Thus, the design of the sample is the solution to the optimization problem. To deal with this, version control systems are used. Version control systems are known software tools that allow designers to maintain an overview of details, upgrades, alternatives, etc. at various levels of the design process. The selection of a class of parts of one class or of a class of parts limits the next choice to those options that allow for solving the optimization problem. The GUI in the present invention allows the designer to graphically interact with the details of the design process in the version control system. For example, in addition to creating additional space as described above in the library of parts to accommodate updates or new parts, selecting a class or a sample in the class may include the compatible classes given in the history of the design process or Modifies the virtual environment by restricting access to such cabinets or bookcases (or rooms or floors) that contain the rest of the portions. In this way, the dynamic design process is mapped onto a graphically represented virtual environment with an area that depends on the path obtained so that the appearance or connectivity is reached.

Database connection applications and graphical version control systems are examples of various aspects of the present invention. The non-Euclidean concept of the virtual environment may also be applied, for example, to file management applications, or 2D, 3D graphical window manager applications. For example, the virtual desktop manager is a software tool that allows a user to know the situation of his / her applications currently running on his / her PC or workstation, i.e. the applications that are opening their windows. The user can position the window of the application outside the field visible on the screen of the display monitor. The traditional virtual desktop manager supplies a 2D Euclidean map of open windows and allows the user to see what is open and to search the window. In the present invention, the virtual desktop manager uses at least partially non-Euclidean representation to enable path-dependencies between windows. As a result, the screen is not always disorderly filled. The library metaper discussed with reference to the figure can be used as a map of the virtual desktop to locate and retrieve a particular of open applications.

Claims (14)

An information processing system having a graphical user-interface (GUI) based on a library metaper that enables a user to search for an item of information, the GUI having a GUI, representing a virtual environment 100 having a non-Euclidean geometric figure. Information processing system. According to claim 1, And the environment is user modifiable (202). According to claim 1, Wherein the geometric figure is path-dependent (202/104) at least in part of the environment. According to claim 1, And the environment (204/208; 218) allows adding virtual space to accommodate new information items. A software application for creating a GUI based on a library metaper that enables a user to search for an item of information, wherein the GUI represents a virtual environment (100) with non-Euclidean geometry. The method of claim 5, A software application that allows a user to modify (202) the environment. The method of claim 5, The geometric figure is path-dependent (202/104) in at least a portion of the environment. The method of claim 5, A software application that allows a user to add a virtual space for accommodating new information items (204/208; 218). The method of claim 5, Software application, including version control software and / or database attached applications and / or file management applications and / or graphical window manager applications and / or virtual desktop managers. A method for enabling a user to interact with a virtual environment 100 using a GUI based on library metaphors, the method comprising: representing the virtual environment through the GUI as having at least a portion with a non-Euclidean geometric figure How to allow the user to interact with the virtual environment. The method of claim 10, Allowing the user to modify the environment (202). The method of claim 10, Representing (202/104) at least a portion of an environment having a path-dependent geometric figure. The method of claim 10, (204, 208; 218) enabling the user to add a virtual space for accommodating a new item of information. The method of claim 10, Wherein the virtual environment comprises a representation of a version control system and / or a representation of a database connected application and / or a representation of a file manager application and / or a representation of a virtual desktop manager.