Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-07-10
Nguyen, Phu K. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259458
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVETION
The present invention relates generally to the field of graphical user interfaces and, more specifically, to a method of representing and navigating a hierarchical data structure in a three-dimensional manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Existing methods employed within graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to visualize and manage large amounts of data suffer from a number of shortcomings. Beginner users of the GUIs of many major operating systems often experience disorientation and confusion due in part to the segmented and discontinuous presentation of directories, sub-directories and files, where only a portion of the relevant data is displayed at any one time. As a data set becomes larger, this problem is exacerbated.
In the context of the World Wide Web (WWW), a user may often become disorientated within a web site. Both users and web masters also often require a concise and easy-assimilated overview of the structure of the web site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating a graphical representation of a hierarchical data structure on a display unit, the hierarchical data structure including first and second groups of nodes within a first level of the hierarchical data structure. A respective first visual representation for each node of the first group of nodes, and a respective second visual representation for each node of the second groups of nodes, are displayed on a display device so that the first and second visual representations are aligned along a first line. Each of the first visual representations are spaced equidistantly from an adjacent first visual representation to form a cluster of first visual representations, the spacing between each of the first visual representations comprising a first spacing. Each of the second visual representations are spacing equidistantly from an adjacent second visual representation to form a cluster of second visual representations, the spacing between each of the second visual representations comprising a second spacing. Adjacent first and second visual representations are spaced by a third spacing.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a hierarchical data structure on a display unit, the hierarchical data structure including a first parent node located on a first level of the hierarchical data structure and a plurality of first child nodes located on a second level of the hierarchical data structure, the plurality of first child nodes comprising child nodes of the first parent node. A respective first visual representation for each of the plurality of first child nodes is displayed on the display unit so that the first visual representations are aligned along a first line and are equally spaced from an adjacent first visual representation, to thereby constitute a cluster of first visual representations having a lateral extent along the first line. A second visual representation for the first parent node is displayed on the display unit so that the second visual representation is aligned along a second line that is parallel to the first line, the second visual representation being located at a position relative to a center of the lateral extent of the cluster of first visual representations.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of navigating a graphical representation of a hierarchical data structure on a display unit, the hierarchical data structure including a plurality of nodes located on a plurality of levels, and at least one branch of nodes including a set of nodes that are linked by a direct hierarchical relationship and that are bounded by a parent node located on a parent level and a leaf node located on a leaf level. A user identification of an identified node within the branch of nodes is detected. Responsive to the detection, respective visual representations of the nodes within the branch of nodes are visually differentiated from visual representations of nodes not within the branch of nodes.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating a graphical representation of a hierarchical data structure to on a display unit, the hierarchical data structure including a first node having at least one content item. A graphic tree representative of the hierarchical data structure is displayed on the display unit, the graphic tree including a first graphic representation of the first node. A second graphic representation, associated with the first graphic representation, that provides a representation of the at least one content item is displayed on the display unit, the second graphic representation differing in appearance from the first graphic representation.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of animating a graphical representation of a hierarchical data structure displayed on a display unit, the hierarchical data structure including a plurality of nodes within a predetermined level of the hierarchical data structure. Each of the plurality of nodes is displayed on the display unit within the predetermined level of the hierarchical data structure in an aligned manner relative to a first line. A user identification of an identified node of the plurality of nodes is detected. Responsive to the detection of the identification of the identified node, the display of nodes of the plurality of nodes is relocated from respective first positions to respective second positions while maintaining the alignment of the plurality of nodes relative to the first line.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps outlined above.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform these steps outlined above.
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Nguyen Phu K.
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