US6366299B1
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US
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Multidimensional information visualization using attribute rods
Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc
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Filing: 2000-05-16
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Granted: 2002-04-02
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Expires: 2020-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A system for browsing multidimensional information includes a digital data storage circuit 48 that stores the multidimensional information in a database and a digital logic circuit 44 that imports, manipulates and outputs the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping model maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space, and a user interface 70 interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation 78 of the multidimensional information space. The graphical representation 78 is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation 78.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Richard Lanning
- 👤 Kent Barrows Wittenburg
- 👤 Michael Scott Heinrichs
- 👤 Christina Lynn Fyock
- 👤 Guangjun Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/283; G06F16/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information, the system comprising: a digital data storage circuit that stores the multidimensional information in a database; a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information, the system comprising: a digital data storage circuit that stores the multidimensional information in a database; a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information, the system comprising: a digital data storage circuit that stores the multidimensional information in a database; a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information, the system comprising: a digital data storage circuit that stores the multidimensional information in a database; a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 2 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each representative of one of the attributes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 3 , wherein for each graphical sliding rod, graphical representations of individual items are laid out in a first spatial dimension and graphical representations of corresponding values for each respective item are laid out in a second spatial dimension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 3 , wherein the user interface presents to the user a user-controllable visual dragging tool, the dragging tool effecting input of the user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by dragging along any of the sliding rods to highlight a desired one of the items, the dragging effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all others of the sliding rods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 5 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a parallel orientation and, upon highlighting of an item in any one sliding rod, the other sliding rods move so as to align all occurrences of the highlighted item in an orientation perpendicular to the parallel orientation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 3 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a starfish orientation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 2 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more parallel rows, each representative of one of the attributes for the plural items in the row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 8 , wherein a position along any of the one or more parallel rows corresponds uniquely to one of the items, and the user interface provides the user with a highlighter for highlighting a desired item in any row, the highlighting of a desired item effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all other rows.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the method for use on an apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the method for use on an apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the method for use on an apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the method for use on an apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each representative of one of the attributes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 12 , wherein for each graphical sliding rod, graphical representations of individual items are laid out in a first spatial dimension and graphical representations of corresponding values for each respective item are laid out in a second spatial dimension.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 12 , wherein in step (b), the user is presented with a user-controllable visual dragging tool, the dragging tool effecting input of the user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by dragging along any of the sliding rods to highlight a desired one of the items, the dragging effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all others of the sliding rods.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a parallel orientation, upon highlighting of an item in any one sliding rod, the other sliding rods move so as to align all occurrences of the highlighted item in an orientation perpendicular to the parallel orientation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 12 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a starfish orientation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more parallel rows, each representative of one of the attributes for the plural items in the row.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 17 , wherein a position along any of the one or more parallel rows corresponds uniquely to one of the items, and the user is provided with a highlighter for highlighting a desired item in any row, the highlighting of a desired item effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all other rows.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus comprising: digital logic means for importing, manipulating and outputting the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping of each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and user interface means for interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus comprising: digital logic means for importing, manipulating and outputting the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping of each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and user interface means for interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus comprising: digital logic means for importing, manipulating and outputting the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping of each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and user interface means for interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus comprising: digital logic means for importing, manipulating and outputting the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping of each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and user interface means for interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each representative of one of the attributes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein for each graphical sliding rod, graphical representations of individual items are laid out in a first spatial dimension and graphical representations of corresponding values for each respective item are laid out in a second spatial dimension.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the user interface means presents the user with a user-controllable visual dragging tool, the dragging tool effecting input of the user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by dragging along any of the sliding rods to highlight a desired one of the items, the dragging effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all others of the sliding rods.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a parallel orientation, upon highlighting of an item in any one sliding rod, the other sliding rods move so as to align all occurrences of the highlighted item in an orientation perpendicular to the parallel orientation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a starfish orientation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more parallel rows, each representative of one of the attributes for the plural items in the row.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein a position along any of the one or more parallel rows corresponds uniquely to one of the items, and the user is provided with a highlighter for highlighting a desired item in any row, the highlighting of a desired item effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all other rows.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer-readable medium storing code executable by a processor-controlled apparatus to perform a method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) a mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer-readable medium storing code executable by a processor-controlled apparatus to perform a method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) a mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
158 words
A computer-readable medium storing code executable by a processor-controlled apparatus to perform a method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) a mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
158 words
A computer-readable medium storing code executable by a processor-controlled apparatus to perform a method for browsing multidimensional information in a database, the apparatus having a digital logic circuit operable to import, manipulate and output the multidimensional information in the database, the method comprising: (a) a mapping each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and (b) interactively accepting input from a user and, using the mapping, rendering a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer-readable medium according to claim 29 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each representative of one of the attributes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
A computer-readable medium according to claim 30 , wherein for each graphical sliding rod, graphical representations of individual items are laid out in a first spatial dimension and graphical representations of corresponding values for each respective item are laid out in a second spatial dimension.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
70 words
A computer-readable medium according to claim 30 , wherein in step (b), the user is presented with a user-controllable visual dragging tool, the dragging tool effecting input of the user-initiate d restrictions on the multidimensional information space by dragging along any of the sliding rods to highlight a desired one of the items, the dragging effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all others of the sliding rods.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer-readable medium according to claim 32 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a parallel orientation, upon highlighting of an item in any one sliding rod, the other sliding rods move so as to align all occurrences of the highlighted item in an orientation perpendicular to the parallel orientation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer-readable medium according to claim 30 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a starfish orientation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer-readable medium according to claim 29 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more parallel rows, each representative of one of the attributes for the plural items in the row.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
61 words
A computer-readable medium according to claim 35 , wherein a position along any of the one or more parallel rows corresponds uniquely to one of the items, and the user is provided with a highlighter for highlighting a desired item in any row, the highlighting of a desired item effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all other rows.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on a network, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the network, manipulate and output to the network the multidimensional information in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on a network, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the network, manipulate and output to the network the multidimensional information in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on a network, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the network, manipulate and output to the network the multidimensional information in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on a network, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the network, manipulate and output to the network the multidimensional information in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 38 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each representative of one of the attributes.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 39 , wherein for each graphical sliding rod, graphical representations of individual items are laid out in a first spatial dimension and graphical representations of corresponding values for each respective item are laid out in a second spatial dimension.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 39 , wherein the user interface presents to the user a user-controllable visual dragging tool, the dragging tool effecting input of the user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by dragging along any of the sliding rods to highlight a desired one of the items, the dragging effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all others of the sliding rods.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 41 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a parallel orientation, upon highlighting of an item in any one sliding rod, the other sliding rods move so as to align all occurrences of the highlighted item in an orientation perpendicular to the parallel orientation.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 39 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a starfish orientation.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 38 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more parallel rows, each representative of one of the attributes for the plural items in the row.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 44 , wherein a position along any of the one or more parallel rows corresponds uniquely to one of the items, and the user interface provides the user with a highlighter for highlighting a desired item in any row, the highlighting of a desired item effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all other rows.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on the Internet, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the Internet, manipulate and output to the Internet the multidimensional information in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on the Internet, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the Internet, manipulate and output to the Internet the multidimensional information in accordance with a mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical sliding rod.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on the Internet, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the Internet, manipulate and output to the Internet the multidimensional information in accordance a with mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for browsing multidimensional information available on the Internet, the system comprising: a digital logic circuit operable to import from the Internet, manipulate and output to the Internet the multidimensional information in accordance a with mapping model that maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space; and a user interface that interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation of the multidimensional information space, wherein the graphical representation is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation, and wherein the multidimensional information space includes multidimensional information about plural items, the multidimensional information being structured to include a list of attributes, each attribute being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to values of that attribute, each value being associated with pointers pointing to those items from among the plural items having that value.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 47 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more graphical sliding rods, each representative of one of the attributes.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 48 , wherein for each graphical sliding rod, graphical representations of individual items are laid out in a first spatial dimension and graphical representations of corresponding values for each respective item are laid out in a second spatial dimension.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 48 , wherein the user interface presents to the user a user-controllable visual dragging tool, the dragging tool effecting input of the user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by dragging along any of the sliding rods to highlight a desired one of the items, the dragging effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all others of the sliding rods.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 50 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a parallel orientation, upon highlighting of an item in any one sliding rod, the other sliding rods move so as to align all occurrences of the highlighted item in an orientation perpendicular to the parallel orientation.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 48 , wherein the sliding rods are arranged in a starfish orientation.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 47 , wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more parallel rows, each representative of one of the attributes for the plural items in the row.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 53 , wherein a position along any of the one or more parallel rows corresponds uniquely to one of the items, and the user interface provides the user with a highlighter for highlighting a desired item in any row, the highlighting of a desired item effecting a concomitant highlighting of the desired item in all other rows.
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