WO1999030223A1

WO1999030223A1 - A method and an interface for providing information

Info

Publication number: WO1999030223A1
Application number: PCT/SE1998/002071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malin Ray
Original assignee: Essen-Möller Consulting Ab
Priority date: 1997-11-25
Filing date: 1998-11-17
Publication date: 1999-06-17
Also published as: SE9704328L; SE9704328D0; AU1268199A; SE509399C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an interface (10, 17, 26) for providing information, whereby the interface is composed of a cylinder (12) or a sphere. Each point (24, 25, 34) on the interface (10, 17, 26) is linked to a menu or other information. The provision of information can be materialised in the form of a document that comprises a number of activated clicks with a mouse and, thereby, information from a log that is linked to the said clicks.

Description

Title

A method and an interface for providing information Technical area

The present invention relates to a method and an interface for providing information via graphics that constitute an interface between man and machine.

The prior art Aids for providing information are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Less than two decades ago, there was essentially nothing other than written literature for active searching in the literature, apart from TV and radio. However, TV and radio were not interactive media, which is why they were not suited to the active provision of information. The powerful breakthrough of the computer regarding interaction between man and machine has revolutionised the issue of information provision.

A common man machine interface (MMI) for computers comprises so-called windows that, in an easy-to-follow manner via windows and menus with pointing devices such as a computer mouse, track ball, etc., help computer users navigate through files of data, programs, installations, etc., whereby one of the most well known is sold by Microsoft^* under the trade name Windows^*.

Even if the computing environment regarding MMI issues has improved significantly through the introduction of windows, it is still up to the computer user to work out what is meant by the lines of text in the menus, which often gives rise to ambiguities. In addition, many youngsters of school age today have access to computers with compact disc (CD) players, whereby there is a need for an interesting, manageable and suitable interface for information capture that is not only built up of search mechanisms where words and sections of text are linked together to form a search profile, whereby the computer searches through databases to obtain hits.

The objective of the present invention is to specify a new graphic MMI for information capture according to the characteristic sections of the enclosed independent claims. The non-independent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

Summary of the described invention The present invention specifies a method for providing information via graphics that constitute an interface between man and machine. A first graphic is created containing a vertical straight or bent imaginary or real line with time sequence as its unit, and a horizontal straight or bent imaginary or real line with units in the form of applications or vice versa as well as imaginary or real lines that are orthogonal to the said lines and that have level of information as the unit. An orthogonal section for a time sequence causes a second graphic to be created that includes orthogonal lines in the plane of the section, which is demarcated by the horizontal line or the vertical line where the origin of the coordinates is the centre point for the section, whereby the level of information regarding the application increases in the orthogonal direction away from the origin of the co-ordinates.

In one embodiment of the invention, the vertical lines constitute the length of a cylinder or the whole or part of the vertical circumference of a sphere, and the horizontal lines constitute the circumference of the cylinder or the horizontal circumference of the sphere that varies in a vertical direction.

In one embodiment, the graphics comprise of any chosen object.

The orthogonal lines delineate segments of the plane of the section. A third graphic is created in the form of the segment. The plane of the section is delineated by a circle, whereby a segment has a shape of a slice of pie, and the level of information for the application that forms the pie slice format increases from the sharp point of the pie slice format, which is the origin of the co-ordinates, outwards with orthogonal lines.

The graphics are stored in a computer medium, and the choice of a selection on any of the lines on the graphic shown according to a first predetermined action calls up the information, of a certain level, that is associated with the selection. A second predetermined action on the graphic shown makes it possible to switch back and forth between the graphics.

The choice of selections on the graphic is stored in sequence in a storage medium, whereby a materialisation of the selections in sequence by means of software creates a document.

The selections can be linked to a work of reference that is associated with applications.

One embodiment includes that all information or part of the information that is provided is fetched via an automatic connection to an Internet address that is linked to a selection.

The invention also relates to an interface between man and machine for providing information. This includes: a first graphic with a vertical imaginary or real line with time sequence as the unit and a horizontal imaginary or real line with units in the form of applications, or vice versa, as well as an imaginary or real line orthogonal to this line with level of information as the unit; a means of creating a section in an orthogonal direction for a time sequence; and a second graphic with orthogonal lines in the plane of the section, which is delineated by the horizontal line or the vertical line where the origin of the co-ordinates is the centre point of the section, whereby the level of information regarding the application increases in the orthogonal direction away from the origin of the co-ordinates.

In addition, the interface can extend to include embodiments according to the non-independent claims in the method.

Brief description of the drawings For a better understanding of the present invention and its embodiments, the description continued below refers to the enclosed illustrations, where;

Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a first graphic interface in perspective according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates schematically a second graphic interface in the form of a section taken from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a third graphic interface in the form of a sector taken from Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates schematically the interface according to Fig. 1 spread out in a plane.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments A MMI for providing/capturing information according to the present invention, primarily for computerised applications with storage media such as hard-disks, CD-units and other computer storage media, is described below. To exemplify the invention, its different embodiments are described in relation to a study of literature. However, the invention is by no means limited to this, but can be applied to all other forms of information provision.

A first graphic interface 10 MMI according to the invention is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 1, here as a cylinder 12, whereby a vertical imaginary or real shown line 14 is straight, a horizontal imaginary or real shown line 16 is curved in a circle included in the horizontal plane, and at least two straight lines 15 are orthogonal to the vertical axis with regard to the diameter 16 of the circle. When only the horizontal line is curved, the graphic interface constitutes a cylinder 12. If the vertical line 14 is also curved in a circular arc, the interface 10 constitutes a sphere, (not shown).

It is also possible to achieve an oval or other graphic of choice if the vertical and horizontal lines are allowed to have any chosen appearance (irregular shape) so that they form the shape of a house, a person, a mountain, another object, etc., whereby the different objects can represent the history of architecture, the history of man, the human body, geology or the history of other objects respectively or other suitable information that is associated with the object.

The software program used to produce the graphic interface according to the invention should also allow the cylinder 12 or sphere to be rotated on, for example, a computer screen, so that all the points that are hidden in a viewing direction are made visible. All manipulation of the graphic interface is achieved with, for example, the help of a pointing device for the computer, a so-called mouse, or via voice control when such technology is introduced.

The co-ordinate axes 18, 20, 22 are more used here to make directional information possible and are not absolutely essential for the executing the invention. The co-ordinate axes 18 and 20 specify the direction in the vertical direction (y-direction) and in the horizontal direction (x-direction) respectively and axis 22 specifies the orthogonal direction (z-direction) in relation to the vertical and horizontal directions.

In addition, the graphic interface 10 is three-dimensional (3-D), or gives the impression of being 3-D in one embodiment of the invention. Every graphic interface 10 in the form of a cylinder or sphere is built up of what is in theory an infinite number of circular cross-sections 17. However, for the practical objectives of the present invention, the number of sections is limited and as such they have a thickness that that varies with the application or with the intended area of use. Through the use of the zoom function in the software, a multiplicity of these cross-sections can be achieved. If the graphic is comprised of an object other than a cylinder, sphere or oval according to that above, the cross-sections are usually not regular and their peripheries can be achieved in any chosen way.

Every circular cross-section 17 is defined on the basis of information on the envelope of the cylinder 12 or sphere by points 24, or by other selections, whereby an imaginary line (straight or curved) orthogonal to circular cross-sections links together points in the column such as line 14 at the tangential point.

Points 24 are equivalent to different time epochs or units of time in a sequential order from the bottom to the top or vice versa. Regarding literature, the lowest point can, for example, designate classical drama, the next point Shakespeare, the next point Moliere, and so on, in order of time. The time sequence can naturally be divided into any chosen level of intensity.

The circular cross-section 17 is in turn divided into at least two lines 15 so that the circle, in the present embodiment, comprises at least four pie slice sectors 26. Each pie slice sector is delineated by a sector arc 28 between two selections, in this case dashed lines 30, that constitutes applications or topics, in this case related to literature, such as heroes, theatre, etc.

As an example of how a literature search or research could take place, the researcher activated the provision of information by clicking on the point for a specific time epoch, e.g. Shakespeare 25, whereby the software program picks out the circular cross- section 16 that is equivalent to Shakespeare 25.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2, that illustrates schematically a second graphic interface in the form of a circular cross-section 17 from Fig. 1 that is associated with or linked to information about Shakespeare. Each sector 26 with its sector arc can now be used to access information about Shakespeare, whereby each sector 26 includes different topics related to Shakespeare, e.g. one section 26 for properties, one sector for plays, one sector for personal details, etc. Alternatively, only one sector is associated with Shakespeare and the other sectors are associated with other events or phenomena from the same epoch or point in time, e.g. art, war, etc. When the second graphic interface 17 appears by means of the software, the first graphic interface 10 is placed in the background or disappears temporarily. Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a third graphic interface in the form of a pie slice sector 26 from Fig. 2 with a partial sector 32. When the third graphic interface 26 appears, the alternatives regarding how the interfaces behind it are produced are the same as for the second interface. The pie slice sector 26 is preferably divided into partial areas 32, whereby the amount of information (increased information level) with regard to the chosen topic or application 28 increases for every area 32 from the centre of the co-ordinates 33 out towards the arc 28 of the sector. In alternative embodiments, the sector arc can, with a freely chosen object according to that above, have an irregular shape. When, for example, a click with the mouse or similar on point 34 is achieved, a new menu with information alternatives appears or, quite simply, only the information that is associated with the respective sector area 32 appears.

The software allows movement between the respective MMI 10, 12, 16, 26 in any chosen order as well as upwards and downwards along the axis of time, partly in the centres of co-ordinates 33 and partly along lines 40 and sectors 26 so that, for example, the topics such as Economic development, Drama, and Female authors can be followed upwards and downwards.

A work of reference can be linked to every point linked with associated information, which is obtained by clicking with the mouse. If the topic, as before, is Shakespeare, and the expression iambic parameter (a measurement of verse) is found or

"looked up" in the work of reference, the user is invited to look up other measurements of verse as well as those who practise this together with examples, e.g. Petranca or Icelandic Edda poetry, so that in this way, other sectors 26 can be reached if desired. The option of always returning to the topic that is linked to the point where the work of reference was first used is always available.

The work of reference provides a further dimension to the present invention in that it can be considered to be present everywhere irrespective of where the user happens to be on the graphic at any particular moment, which partly makes the information available and partly allows transfers, jumps and visits to the information. In this way, great flexibility and the provision of a large amount of information are achieved. The contents belonging to the work of reference and the graphics represented by the invention are suitably executed by software programs. The technology for achieving such is well known for those skilled in the art and not described in more detail here.

All information associated with any of the points in the three MMIs is, for example, related to files in databases or to network addresses such as Internet addresses.

Each click on a point can on a command be stored in a special log open for the research in question, whereby the file of information that is linked to the point is made available. In this way, the researcher can print out a complete document of his or her research directly from the log, perhaps after editing, in that the points with the linked information and perhaps headings can be printed out in sequence on a computer printer and also be shown on the computer screen.

Regarding Internet applications, the graphic interface can be part of a search program in Internet, whereby all information is linked to Internet addresses belonging to at least one server. For example, information referring to Shakespeare can also be found at the address or server www.shakespeare.lib777.com. which is automatically connected with a mouse click on the point intended for this purpose. In this way, all selected points can be connected to network addresses. Alternatively, this is also possible using a mixture of local network and internal computer addresses as well as Internet addresses.

Fig. 4 illustrates schematically an interface according to Fig. 1 but with the envelope surface spread out in one plane, whereby the imaginary or real lines 40 that originate from circle 16, here shown as a line, specify a time axis with the most distant past lowest down and the most recent past highest up or vice versa.

When the graphical interface is in the from of a sphere, it can represent a globe of the earth where the points, for example, designate places, whereby the pie slice sectors 26 are linked to information about the places.

As mentioned earlier, the applications in the present invention can be composed of all sorts of subjects. The literature study and geography named above have been used to exemplify the invention. One further application is patients' case records where, for example, the time scale 14 relates to the visits of the patient to the doctor and the application sectors 26, 28 specify different conditions of illness. The pie slice sectors 26 increasing level of information outwards from the centre of the co-ordinates 33 can then, for example, consist of knowledge about a certain illness for the time 24 in question of which medical expertise is aware. This also includes that the accuracy or reliability of a diagnosis of an illness increases outwards from the centre of co-ordinates 33.

The case record of a patient can be produced as a document based on the points 24, 34 that a doctor or other medical personnel has activated, or the history of a specific illness can be documented from a chosen time point in the past to a time point in the present or recent past.

It is realised that the number of applications, the levels of information and the documents that can be produced with the present invention make up an essentially endless amount. The term document above should be regarded in its widest form such as, for example, a smart card, book, newspaper, article, electronic memory, report, e-mail, etc.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described above, rather it is the drafting of the enclosed claims that specifies further embodiments for a person skilled within the area of technology.

Claims

1. Method of providing information by graphics (12, 17, 26) that constitute a man machine interface characterised in that a first graphic (12) is created that includes a vertical straight or bent imaginary or real line (14) with time sequence as the unit, and a horizontal straight or bent imaginary or real line (16) with units in the form of applications or vice versa as well as imaginary or real lines (15) that are orthogonal with regard to the said lines with levels of information as the unit, whereby a section (16) orthogonally in the vertical or horizontal direction causes a second graphic (17) to be created that includes orthogonal lines (15) in the plane of the section delineated by the horizontal line (17) or the vertical line (14) where the origin of the co-ordinates (33) is the centre point for the section, whereby the level of information regarding the application increases in the orthogonal direction (15) away from the origin of the co-ordinates.

2. Method according to claim lcharacterised in that the vertical line (14) constitutes the length of a cylinder (12) or the whole or part of the vertical circumference of a sphere, and that the horizontal line (16) constitutes the circumference of the cylinder (12) or the circumference of the sphere that varies in the vertical direction.

3. Method according to claim lcharacterised in that the graphics are composed of any object of choice.

4. Method according to claims 1-3 characterised in that the orthogonal lines (15) delineate segments (26) in the plane of the section.

5. Method according to claim 4characterised in that a third graphic (26) is created in the form of the segment (26).

6. Method according to claim 5characterised in that the plane of the section is delineated by a circle (16), whereby a segment (26) has a pie slice format, and that the level of information for the application that forms the pie slice format (26) increases from the sharp point of the pie slice format, which is the origin of the coordinates (33), along orthogonal lines.

7. Method according to claims 1-6 characterised in that the graphics (10, 16, 26) are stored in a computer medium, and that making a selection (24, 34) on any of the lines (14, 15, 16) on the graphics shown according to a first predetermined action calls up a certain level information that is associated with the chosen selection.

8. Method according to claim 7characterised in that a second predetermined action on the graphic shown makes it possible to switch back and forth between the graphics.

9. Method according to claims 1-8 characterised in that the choice of selections is stored in sequence in a storage medium, whereby a materialisation of the selections in sequence by means of software creates a document.

10. Method according to claims 1-9 characterised in that the selections (24, 34) are linked to a work of reference that is associated with applications.

11. Method according to claims 1-10 characterised in that all information or part of the information that is provided is fetched via an automatic connection to an Internet address that is linked to a selection.

12. Interface (10) between man and machine for providing information characterised in that it includes: a first graphic (12) with a vertical imaginary or real line (14) with time sequence as the unit and a horizontal imaginary or real line (16) with units in the form of applications, or vice versa, as well as an imaginary or real line (15) orthogonal with regard to the said lines and with the unit level of information; a means of creating a section (17) in an orthogonal direction (15) for a time sequence; and a second graphic (17) with orthogonal lines (15) in the plane of the section, which is delineated by the horizontal line (16) or the vertical line (14) where the origin of the co-ordinates (33) is the centre point for the section, whereby the level of information regarding the application increases in the orthogonal (15) direction away from the origin of the co-ordinates (33).

13. Interface according to claim 12characterised in that the vertical line (14) constitutes the length of a cylinder (12) or the whole or part of the vertical circumference of a sphere, and that the horizontal line (16) constitutes the circumference of the cylinder or the circumference of the sphere that varies in the vertical direction.

14. Interface according to claim 12characterised in that it is composed of any object of choice.

15. Interface according to claims 12-14characterised in that the orthogonal lines (15) delineate segments (26) in the plane of the section.

16. Interface according to claim 15characterised in that a third graphic (26) is created in the form of the segment.

17. Interface according to claim l╧îcharacterised in that the plane of the section is delineated by a circle (16), whereby a segment (26) has a pie slice format, and that the level of information for the application that forms the pie slice format increases from the sharp point of the pie slice format, which is the origin of the co-ordinates (33), along orthogonal lines (15).

18. Interface according to claims 12-17characterised in that the graphics are stored in a computer medium, and that making a selection on any of the lines on the graphics shown according to a first predetermined action calls up a certain level information that is associated with the chosen selection (24, 34).

19. Interface according to claim l╬┤characterised in that a second predetermined action on the graphic shown makes it possible to switch back and forth between the graphics.

20. Interface according to claims 12-18characterised in that the choice of selections is stored in sequence in a storage medium, whereby a materialisation of the selections in sequence by means of software creates a document.

21. Interface according to claims 12-20 characterised in that the selections (24, 34) are linked to a work of reference that is associated with applications.

22. Interface according to claims 12-21 characterised in that all information or part of the information that is provided is fetched via an automatic connection to an Internet address that is linked to a selection.