RU131510U1 - INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR WORKING WITH SEARCH SYSTEMS AND DATABASES - Google Patents

Abstract

An interface system for working with search engines and databases, containing a screen with a work area on which a fixed set of one or more selectable objects is placed in the form of icons or multimedia contents, while the work area of the screen is made with markup, each cell of which is a single background block , each object is made in the form of an icon or multimedia content placed on top of at least one or a multiple of the background blocks and made in a size equal to the size of one a background block or a multiple of background blocks, and each object has the function of disclosing one or more blocks of selectable objects associated with them, which, when opened, are located on top of the background blocks in the markup adjacent to blocks of previously selected objects, as well as pictograms of option blocks and control functions, characterized in that the work area is divided into a fixed number of background blocks, while the number of background blocks can be dynamically completed depending on the amount of added content, the icon The options and control functions are placed in the field of object blocks and the interaction mechanism is associated with the interactive contents of the objects in which they are located, at least some of the objects are made composite and includes one or more child object blocks with pictograms of the built-in functions and options of the child functions blocks of objects, at least part of blocks with dynamic multimedia content is made with control functions for changing user settings or system presets, at least for h

Description

The utility model relates to means of user interaction with a structured system, computer operating system, databases, search engines, catalog and archive systems, or a user program or complex machines, devices and equipment.

A known interface for controlling a mobile communication device, which includes: providing a working area of the screen of a mobile communication device, displaying a set of one or more selectable objects in the form of icons in the specified working area of the screen; providing for the selection of one of the specified one or more selectable objects in the form of icons in the specified area of the screen; highlighting the selected object from the specified one or more selectable objects, displaying a set of options in the form of icons for the specified selected object, the selected objects and options being located in opposing vertical and horizontal rows, and moving the cursor to change the multi-function selection to the option to select the option that you want apply to the selected object (RU No. 2396727, Н04М 1/247, G09G 5/36, G06F 3/048, published on 08/10/2010).

A disadvantage of the known interface is that traditionally the elements of objects or options in the form of icons occupy the entire menu or display screen, without any identification of the associated subordinate elements available to them (regardless of whether the menu form is selected as a list, a grid or a single main menu object). Thus, in order to achieve such subordinate elements, the user will first have to select a specific element (certain icon), activate it, and then he will be presented with a secondary display screen on which available subordinate elements for selection are presented. Thus, the process of accessing the opened file or information hiding under the icon is a multi-stage process, in which each time the icon is activated, a new window appears on the screen, closing all the old previously opened windows. This path is good for accurately identifiable information, but it is not relevant when conducting extensive search operations or working with databases. An attempt in a well-known patent to ensure the transition from level to level while maintaining the initial window on the screen allowed to solve the problem of selecting options of the upper level. And with an increase in the number of open levels, the screen becomes cluttered and a new additional window appears or the icons of the initial levels disappear from the screen, making it impossible to control the search process and adjust the path to the desired information.

Attempts were also made to organize a user interface in which host blocks were organized in an organized manner and compactly arranged on the desktop, each of which was an input portal for access to a set of host blocks, which, in turn, are traveling for access through their portal to the set of hidden blocks below them (see US 6724403, US 2007082707 or US 2011202834). The disadvantage of such interfaces is the complexity of the path the user takes from the host unit to a specific object.

A well-known interface system for working with search engines and databases, comprising a screen with a work area on which a set of one or more selectable objects in the form of pictograms or multimedia content is located and a corresponding set of one or more options in the form of pictograms or multimedia content is displayed, each of which is associated with at least one selectable object, wherein displaying a set of one or more options is directly related to the corresponding one or more selectable objects objects, as well as a control body or mechanism for interacting with interactive objects, used to select object blocks or option blocks, the working area of the screen is marked up, each cell of which is a single background block, each object and each option is made in the form of an icon or multimedia content, placed on top of at least one or a multiple of the background blocks, and executed with a size equal to the size of one background block or a multiple of the background blocks, an icon of options and objects performed with the function of changing the appearance of the icon upon activation by the control body or the mechanism of interaction with interactive objects, each object and each option having the function of revealing related sets of one or more blocks of selectable objects, which are located adjacent to the background blocks in the layout with sets of previously selected blocks with selected objects (RU 121945, G06F 3/048, publ. 11/10/2012).

The disadvantage of this interface system is the lack of ease of use, which consists in the fact that when you activate the icon of the object, a set of options or fields with multimedia contents are opened that cover the previously highlighted fields of the objects. This makes it difficult to perceive all the information displayed on the working field of the monitor (screen), since some of them are blocked by the fields of new disclosures. In addition, for part of the objects, their control functions are displayed in separate fields, which, when activated, also cover previously highlighted fields of objects. This presents some inconvenience, which is strongly manifested when making changes to the object by changing options or controlling the parameters of the object. Practice shows that for multimedia-containing files that, when activated, represent a set of, for example, individual pictures made in a small format, the user has a desire to view a specific picture in an enlarged size in the viewer mode. To do this, it is desirable that the viewer option be placed on the field of the object block or on the field of the picture itself (to exclude the need to activate the field of a separate control object, which is responsible for setting the display functions of multimedia content).

Also, the rating function of users by the content is not well developed, which allows the system to rank the content when it is issued to this and other users. This function allows you to quickly select the most user objects and their contents when searching, for example, information.

This useful model is aimed at achieving a technical result, which consists in increasing usability and information content by simplifying navigation and the selection and control processes themselves.

The indicated technical result is achieved in that in the interface system for working with search engines and databases containing a screen with a work area, on which a fixed set of one or more selectable objects in the form of pictograms or multimedia content is placed, while the work area of the screen is marked , each cell of which is a single background block, each object is made in the form of an icon or multimedia content placed on top of at least one or a multiple of the number of backgrounds x blocks, and made in the size equal to the size of one background block or a multiple of the background blocks, and each object has the function of revealing one or more blocks of selectable objects associated with them, which when opened are located on top of the background blocks in the markup adjacent to the blocks of previously selected objects , as well as pictograms of option blocks and control functions, the workspace is divided into a fixed number of background blocks, while the number of background blocks can be dynamically expanded depending on the number of add The list of content, pictograms of option blocks and control functions are placed in the field of object blocks and the interaction mechanism is associated with the interactive contents of the objects in which they are located, at least some of the objects are made integral and includes one or more child object blocks with pictograms of built-in control functions and options with child blocks of objects, at least some of the blocks with dynamic multimedia content are made with control functions for changing user settings or system constructions, at least part of the blocks is made with the function of entering text or with the function of drawing on the block field, at least part of the blocks with static multimedia content is made with the function of full-size disclosure of the content in the viewer mode, while at least in the part of the blocks the tool is entered for users rating content that allows the system to rank the content when it is issued to this and other users, and the interface system is equipped with a function for controlling the point rating system second evaluation function from the terminal and a background object block, which reaches a set rating forming unit rated level, as well as equipped with the unit prompts the user to outputting detailed information on the content and capabilities of the interaction with the block on which the cursor is located.

These features are significant and are interconnected with the formation of a stable set of essential features sufficient to obtain the desired technical result.

The present utility model is illustrated by a specific example of execution, which, however, is not the only possible one, but clearly demonstrates the possibility of achieving the required technical result.

Figure 1 - interface system;

figure 2 - shows the deployment of system objects.

According to this utility model, a new structure is being considered - the interface system design for the user by search engines and databases, based on the new principle of disclosing objects and / or options, which can significantly reduce the process of accessing the necessary information with full visualization of the search path itself for information. In addition, the system allows to minimize the manipulation of searching and working with a set of options for managing functions and options that are possible for the identified object.

In the interface system for working with search engines containing a screen with a workspace, a set of one or more selectable objects in the form of blocks with pictograms or multimedia content is placed on the screen.

The system also provides the ability to display the corresponding set of one or more options in the form of blocks with pictograms or multimedia content associated with the corresponding one or more selected objects. The display of a set of one or more options is in direct connection with the corresponding one or more selected objects. Used to work with the interface, a control for moving the cursor or another mechanism for interacting with interactive objects is used to select blocks of objects or blocks of options.

The working area of the screen has a markup, which can be displayed as a fixed number of background blocks, while the blocks are attached to the markup. Blocks of objects are tied to markup and displayed on top of visible or invisible background blocks. Examples of selectable blocks of objects can be blocks of a given size equal to the size of one background block or a multiple of the background blocks or matching in shape with one or more background blocks. Blocks of selectable objects can be associated with a set of options presented in the form of one or more blocks with pictograms or multimedia content, and with sets of selectable objects grouped according to general criteria. The pictograms of options and objects are made with the function of changing the appearance of the pictogram when it is selected using the cursor or another mechanism for interacting with interactive objects, and the function of revealing associated sets of one or more blocks of selectable objects, which, when opened, are attached to the markup and are located on top of the background blocks and do not overlap sets of blocks with selected objects. Moreover, each new set of blocks to be opened may include one or more icon blocks corresponding to options and one or more icon blocks corresponding to selectable objects grouped according to common criteria.

The working area of the screen is divided into a fixed number of background blocks, while the number of background blocks can be dynamically added depending on the amount of added content.

Pictograms of option blocks and control functions are placed in the field of object blocks and the interaction mechanism is associated with the interactive contents of the objects in which they are located.

A feature of the user interface is that:

- at least a part of the objects is made integral and includes one or more child blocks of objects with pictograms of the functions for managing the built-in and options child blocks of objects;

- at least part of the blocks with dynamic multimedia content is made with control functions for changing user settings or system presets;

- at least part of the blocks is made with the function of entering text or with the function of drawing on the field of the block;

- at least part of the blocks with static multimedia content is made with the function of full-size disclosure of content in viewer mode;

- in at least part of the blocks, a tool has been introduced for users to rate content by the system, which allows the system to rank the content when this and other users are issued, and the interface system is equipped with a function for controlling the point rating system and with the function of outputting the object to the background block, rating which reaches the level set by the unit for forming the rating score, and is also equipped with a hint block that displays detailed information about the content and interaction possibilities to the user the block on which the cursor is located.

The following is an example of a tabular type interface system.

The user interface (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises a screen with a work area 1. In the interface according to the present utility model, the work area 1 of the screen is divided into a fixed number of background blocks 2 arranged in a structured manner, that is, the background blocks line the work area 1 adjacent to each other . Thus, the workspace is divided into separate background blocks 2. Such a construction clearly defines the place of appearance and placement of objects in the form of pictograms on the workspace, which allows the user to concentrate on the place where the pictograms from one or another set appear.

On the field of background blocks 2, a set of one or more selectable objects 3 is placed in the form of icons with a corresponding set of one or more options or functions displayed in the form of icons associated with the corresponding one object 3, while a set of one or more options or functions is displayed is in direct connection with the corresponding one object. There is also a control for moving the cursor used to select object 3 or an option on the object from the set it contains. In this case, this dependence is the basis for almost all known interfaces, regardless of the form of their implementation.

Each object and each option is made in the form of an icon placed on top of the background blocks and made equal to the size of one background block or a multiple of the background blocks, at least in the horizontal or vertical directions. Thus, the working area of the screen with its grid represents the positioning cells for each individual icon.

Pictograms of a set of one or more selectable objects include at least one pictogram corresponding to an option or function. The icons are made with the function of changing the appearance of the icon when you hover over it and the function of expanding the set of one or more selectable objects placed under it, which, when opened, are located in an adjacent row or column of the table on top of the background blocks and along the pictograms of the previously opened set, as shown figure 2.

Pictograms of a set of one or more selectable objects in each new opened set are placed in the direction coinciding with the direction of the pictograms of the previously opened set and include at least one pictogram corresponding to the option and the remaining pictograms corresponding to the objects.

Each object in the form of a pictogram contains visual information (picture, video, interactive application), text (comment, title or other verbal information). Also, an object or option may contain graphical information that prompts the user with its functionality (for example, a line separating the picture and the text along which the opening up or down). Another option for displaying additional functionalities is to display a rating on a cell to transmit preliminary information to a user for making a decision.

Each set displays up to nine (maximum ten) objects and / or options per line. Blocks may or may not be displayed depending on the task. The choice of a certain number of mappings is determined based on the solution of the Miller problem. The so-called "Miller's wallet" is based on the study of a person's ability to remember without any special mnemonic techniques. It turned out that the memory capacity is limited to seven numbers, seven letters or the names of seven items. This "magic number" is seven, serving as a measure of memory, and was verified by Miller, who showed that memory, on average, cannot store more than seven elements; depending on the complexity of the elements, this number can range from five to nine. Applying the principle of “Miller's wallet” in the design of interfaces, one should group elements on the workspace (buttons on toolbars, menu items, bookmarks, options on these bookmarks, etc.) taking this rule into account - i.e. no more than seven in a group, in extreme cases - nine.

On the workspace, visual information is displayed on top of the background blocks (visible) or on top of their borders (if the background blocks are hidden) is displayed in boundaries that are multiples of the number of background blocks (for example, the size of 1 block or 2 blocks or any other amount vertically and horizontally ) Single blocks (the so-called icon or icon) (equal in size to one background block) are arranged in rows. Also, blocks of arbitrary size can be arranged in rows, including together with single blocks. One of the main features of the interface is the possibility of logical structuring of an arbitrary number of blocks of arbitrary size, and their grouping into one level, a particular case of a visual representation of a level is one or more rows filled in quantities from 1 element to the maximum possible number of them.

When you hover the mouse (or click on the touch screen, or select using other pointing hardware and software, including brain activity) a block with information, this block is visually highlighted (for example, by highlighting around the perimeter), which can be accompanied by sound. When you select a block (mouse click, click on the touch screen, etc.), it opens as a retractable extension of the block (slider) up or down from the block and its constituent elements displayed to the side of the slider. At the same time, elements that are at the same level as the horizontal one (and at the previous levels) change their appearance, for example, are replaced by their volume contours, become black and white, change their transparency, etc. One or more elements are located on the slider, which are filters 9 for displaying the elements displayed to the side of the slider. For example, ranking these items by novelty or rating. Also, if there are more elements than it fits in a row, the elements can sequentially fill the following rows. In this case, the user can select any element from the previous rows and reveal its contents instead of the displayed one. The choice of a block does not necessarily lead to the disclosure of the slider, but can simply cause the disclosure of the next level (groups of blocks in one or more rows). All actions and consequences of actions can be animated and voiced.

The entire area of user interaction with the system is divided into key sections displayed on the panel at the top of the screen (Fig. 1). The markup that the background blocks stand in is not visible by default. The choice of another section leads to the deployment of a new field with different initial contents, but later functioning according to the principles indicated above. The panel contains functional controls (for example, mute), and an information field, which displays information about the system and the response to user actions. The second panel is located at the bottom of the screen and contains a history of user actions and / or functional elements fixed to it by the user. The selection of any history element is similar to the selection of this element on the field, starts a similar animation and leads to the re-disclosure of this element on the field.

All elements on the field are divided into several types:

1. Elements of the structure - blocks, the selection of which leads to the disclosure of the blocks enclosed in it and the appearance of a slider.

2. The ranking element of the issuance of blocks.

3. The input element.

4. Information element - an element of an arbitrary size (a multiple of background blocks) containing multimedia information, including video, photos and images or an audio file.

5. Content elements (collapsed) - the final level of information after the transition to all levels of the structure. (For example, sites nested in a subsection.) This element is visually different from the structure element, and may have additional parameters, for example, in the form of a rating bar.

6. Content element (expanded) - appears when you select a minimized version, is an information element and additional structure blocks.

In the claimed system, the work area 1 is divided into a fixed number of background blocks 2. The number of background blocks 2 can be dynamically completed depending on the amount of added content. Adding can be done directly by the user by displaying objects on the working field. Information flow is an area of dynamically added content. Content is added after checking for compliance with the selection criteria, including rating, number of views, number of comments, mood, genre, etc. For example. If the content rating is greater than 10. it is displayed in a separate block (figure 2). To do this, in at least part of the blocks, a tool has been introduced for users to rate content by the users, which allows the system to rank the content when it is issued to this and other users. The interface system is equipped with a control function on a point-based rating system and with the function of outputting to the background block an object whose rating reaches the level set by the unit for forming the rating rating, and is also equipped with a tooltip that displays the user detailed information about the content and possibilities of interaction with the block on which the cursor is located.

Object blocks can be composite and have one or more child object blocks embedded, as well as embedded block controls. Figure 1 shows the block of object 3, in which the child blocks 4 and the control elements 5 of these child blocks are placed.

In the system, part of the blocks of objects differs by type:

- block with dynamic multimedia content that can be changed according to user settings or system presets (Fig. 1). The user gets the opportunity to install several multimedia content in this block, which are displayed in slideshow mode.

- block 7 with variable content, allowing the user to enter text or draw inside. The user gets the opportunity to enter information with text and graphic elements.

There is a hierarchical relationship of blocks with multimedia content. Block 8 of the set of content thumbnails causes the disclosure of all blocks of thumbnails 9 of the content, each 10 of which may cause the disclosure of block 11 of the viewer with full-sized content.

The system has a tool 12 for rating users content, allowing the system to rank the content when it is issued to this and other users.

The system contains a block 13 prompts that displays the user detailed information about the content and possibilities of interaction with the block on which the cursor is located. The tooltip field is tied to blocks 3 and their contents.

The main difference between the claimed interface and the known ones, including the prototype, is a new algorithm for the operation of blocks, based on the fact that the information field on which the information is disclosed is a set of positioned cells, each of which is the location of the block containing either information, which is then disclosed in a separate field, or is a functional unit that implements a control and movement function to build a path to this information. When a set of blocks of the next level is displayed on the working area, blocks from sets of previous levels remain visually perceptible on the working area, but in a different altered image than blocks of the last disclosed level. Thus, the user clearly sees the entire search path and can at any time return to one of the previously disclosed levels to form a different picture of the disclosure of blocks.

This utility model is industrially applicable, can be implemented not only at the level of programmable systems, but also at the level of construction using robotic systems and technologies.

Claims (1)

An interface system for working with search engines and databases, containing a screen with a work area on which a fixed set of one or more selectable objects is placed in the form of icons or multimedia contents, while the work area of the screen is made with markup, each cell of which is a single background block , each object is made in the form of an icon or multimedia content placed on top of at least one or a multiple of the background blocks and made in a size equal to the size of one a background block or a multiple of background blocks, and each object has the function of disclosing one or more blocks of selectable objects associated with them, which, when opened, are located on top of the background blocks in the markup adjacent to blocks of previously selected objects, as well as pictograms of option blocks and control functions, characterized in that the work area is divided into a fixed number of background blocks, while the number of background blocks can be dynamically completed depending on the amount of added content, the icon is The options and control functions are placed in the field of object blocks and the interaction mechanism is associated with the interactive contents of the objects in which they are located, at least some of the objects are made composite and includes one or more child object blocks with pictograms of the built-in functions and options of the child functions blocks of objects, at least part of blocks with dynamic multimedia content is made with control functions for changing user settings or system presets, at least for h The blocks are made with the function of entering text or with the drawing function on the block field, at least some of the blocks with static multimedia content are made with the function of full-size disclosure of content in viewer mode, while at least some of the blocks have a tool for rating users by content , allowing the system to rank the content when it is given to this and other users, and the interface system is equipped with a control function according to a point rating system and with a function for outputting to oic object unit, which reaches a set rating forming unit rated level, and also equipped with the unit prompts the user to outputting detailed information on the content and capabilities of the interaction with the block on which the cursor is located.

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