as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0086612 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Apr. 21, 2005
`
`Gettman et al.
`
`US 20050086612A1
`
`(54) GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR AN
`INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: David Gettman, London (GB); Nicole
`Morris, Monaco (MC)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`HICKMAN PALERMO TRUONG & BECKER,
`LLP
`2055 GATEWAY PLACE
`SUITE 550
`SAN JOSE, CA 95110 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/864,906
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 8, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/727,799,
`filed on Dec. 3, 2003.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jul. 25, 2003
`
`(GB) wneeecescssscsescsessseecnseeeestente 0317493.5
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(SL) Ute C17 ciceccccsscssssssssnsensssesnesnesnessee GO6F 3/00
`
`4en
`
`enuiguneeeels
`
`(52) U.S. Cle ceeccsscrsscssseeee 715/848; 715/850; 715/852;
`715/757; 715/712; 715/713;
`715/818; 715/764
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A graphical user interface comprising a main pane, a web
`button or interactive content button area, an input area, a
`mini map area, and a three-dimensional view area is dis-
`closed. There are three main view that are displayed (a)
`three-dimensional perspective view of a virtual three-dimen-
`sional space that comprises a plurality of virtual display
`windows, wherein each of the virtual display windows is
`allocated a specific position in the space and is associated
`with a network location identifier of a content provider, or
`(b) an interactive content view of network content associated
`with the network location identifier, or (c) a map view
`comprising a map of the virtual three-dimensional space.
`Various map display, path generation, and navigation func-
`tions are provided. The graphical user interface provides a
`flexible and intuitive way to navigate a complex three-
`dimensional virtual space in which web pages or other
`interactive content are mappedto virtual display windowsof
`virtual buildings in a virtual three-dimensional space.
`
`APPLE 1006
`
`APPLE 1006
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 2005/0086612 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 1 of 25
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 2 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Fig.2.
`
`
`
`Initiate
`
`
`
`browser
`benchmark
` Retrieve
`
`
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`layout
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`Viewer
`moves
`
`E
`
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`Display normal
`web browser
`window on
`wall
`
`interact
`with wail ?
`
`
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`
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`transport
`
`map
`
`Viewer
`selects
`destination
`
`
`
`Determine
`which walls
`
`need updating
`
`
`
`
`Generate
`invisible
`window from
`source data
`
`
`
`
`
`Transfer
`to texture
`
`Cache to
`local storage
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 3 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 4 of 25
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`US 2005/0086612 Al
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`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 5 of 25
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 7 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Fig. 6A
`
`602 OFFER THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIRTUAL SPACE BROWSER
`
`604 OFFER EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENT OR
`CONTENTIN A PARTICULAR VIRTUAL SPACE WINDOW FOR
`
`SPECIFIED TIME PERIOD
`
`B06 CREATE ACCOUNT FOR CONTENT PROVIDER
`
`608 RECEIVE OFFER OF PAYMENT FROM CONTENT PROVIDER
`
`B610 NEGOTIATE DURATION, PAYMENT, ETC.
`
`612 PROCESS PAYMENT
`
`614 RECEIVE NETWORK LOCATION DATA FROM CONTENT
`PROVIDER °
`
`616 STORE NETWORK LOCATION DATA IN
`CONTENT DATABASE
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 8 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Fig. 6B
`
`620 THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIRTUAL SPACE BROWSERIS EXECUTED BY CLIENT
`
`622 CLIENT SELECTS CITY FOR VIEWING
`
`624 CLIENT CONTACTS CITY SERVER OF SELECTED CITY
`
`626 CLIENT RECEIVES TEXT REPRESENTATIONOF CITY
`
`628 CLIENT AUTHENTICATES TEXT REPRESENTATION
`
`630 CLIENT RENDERS AND DISPLAYS CITY
`
`632 USER NAVIGATES IN CITY
`
`
`
`
` §38
`
`
`PAY-PER-VIEW
`
`
`
`WINDOW?
`
`NO
`
`634 CLIENT SENDS ACCUMULATEDSTATISTICS
`
`§36 CLIENT REQUESTS UPDATED CITY BASED ON LOCALTIME
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 9 of 25
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`US 2005/0086612 Al
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`US 2005/0086612 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 10 of 25
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`11
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 11 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Fig. 7
`
`102 QUERY CONTENT ACCOUNTS DATABASE FOR DISPLAY
`AGREEMENTS DUE TO EXPIRE IN SPECIFIED FUTURE TIME PERIOD
`
`704 GENERATE RENEWAL MESSAGES TO EXPIRING ADVERTISERS
`OR CONTENT PROVIDERS
`
`106 NEGOTIATE RENEWALS
`
`708 RENEWAL
`
`REJECTED?
`
`YES
`
`
`
`PROCESS(E.G., FIG. 8)
`
`7410 AUCTION
`
`NO
`
`{12 UPDATE CONTENT AND ACCOUNTS DATABASES
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 12 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Fig. 8
`
`802 OFFER THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIRTUAL SPACE BROWSER
`
`804 INITIATE AUCTION FOR EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO DISPLAY CONTENT
`IN PARTICULAR VIRTUAL SPACE WINDOW FORSPECIFIED TIME
`
`806 RECEIVE BID(S) IN AUCTION SYSTEM; OPTIONALLY RECEIVE
`DEPOSIT OF FUNDS
`
`
`
`
`808
`
`
`AUCTION
`
`ENDED?
`
` YES
`
`810 DETERMINE HIGH BIDDER
`
`812 FOR HIGH BIDDER,
`PERFORM STEPS
`
`606-616 OF FIG. 6A
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 13 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Fig. 9
`
`
`
`
`
`902A RECEIVE REQUEST TO TRANSFER, TO A THIRD PARTY, A
`PREVIOUSLY GRANTED AND PAID-FOR RIGHT TO DISPLAY
`ADVERTISEMENT OR CONTENTIN A PARTICULAR VIRTUAL SPACE
`WINDOW FORA SPECIFIED TIME PERIOD ~
`
`902B RECEIVE IDENTITY OF TRANSFEREE AND NETWORK LOCATION
`DATA
`
`904 OPTIONALLY RECEIVE AND PROCESS TRANSFER PAYMENT
`
`905 OPTIONALLY PERFORM
`CONTENT VERIFICATION
`
`906 UPDATE CONTENT AND ACCOUNTS DATABASE; CREATE NEW
`ACCOUNT FOR TRANSFEREE IF NEEDED
`
`908 ISSUE CONFIRMATION OF TRANSFER
`TO TRANSFEROR AND TRANSFEREE
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 14 of 25
`
`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Fig. 10
`
`
`1001B THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIRTUAL SPACE BROWSER
`
`
`41002 INITIALIZATION LOGIC
`
`
`
`41004 VIRTUAL SPACE DISPLAY LOGIC
`
`
`
`
`1012 CONTROL
`4022 WINDOW
`1006
`
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`
`15
`
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`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21,2005 Sheet 15 of 25
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`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR AN
`INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS; PRIORITY CLAIM
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
`§119 of prior United Kingdom application 0317493.5, filed
`Jul. 25, 2003, entitled “Information Display,” the entire
`contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if
`fully set forth herein. This application claimspriority under
`35 U.S.C. §120 as a Continuation-in-part of prior applica-
`tion Ser. No. 10/727,799, filed Dec. 3, 2003,
`the entire
`contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if
`fully set forth herein.
`
`COPYRIGHT NOTICE
`
`[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document
`contains material which is subject to copyright protection.
`The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
`reproduction of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
`Patent & Trademark Office patent file or records, but oth-
`erwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright
`©2004 Purple Interactive Ltd.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention generally relates to data
`[0003] The present
`processing. The invention relates more specifically to infor-
`mation display.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004] The approaches described in this section could be
`pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been
`previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless other-
`wise indicated herein,
`the approaches described in this
`section are notprior art to the claims in this application and
`are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
`
`[0005] Modern display or presentation devices typically
`include computer apparatus such as networked, desktop,
`laptop, handheld or tablet personal computers (PCs), per-
`sonal digital assistants (PDAs), interactive television termi-
`nals, gaming apparatus and cell phones. Each item of
`apparatus usually has a single display, and this may be in the
`form of a traditional computer,
`television or cell phone
`display screen or maytake the form of projection equipment,
`virtual reality goggles, projection spectacles, holographic
`projections, electronic paper or cerebral implants.
`
`Thereis a desire amongst viewers accessing a large
`[0006]
`volumeof material content to be able to browse and navigate
`the full set of content in order to find a subset or single unit
`of content which is relevant or interesting to the viewer.
`Currently such browsing and navigation is typically con-
`ducted by meansof descriptive text typed into search engine
`software and thereby matched to text contained in the
`material content itself or to text which a content provider has
`used to label the content. Browsing and navigation is also
`sometimes aided by third-party content categorisers who
`provide directories and sub-directories of content labels and
`descriptions.
`
`[0007] However, these techniques for browsing and navi-
`gating large volumes of material content for display inevi-
`tably rely upon the individual viewer’s skills in language
`
`and logic, as well as that of the content providers. With
`directory searching, the viewer must guess and replicate the
`logic followed by the third-party content categorizers, who
`must categorize and describe material content accurately and
`in a way which will readily be found by the intended
`viewers. With text entry searching, viewers need a good
`verbal memory to think of appropriate search terms, an
`extensive vocabulary, and skills in using Boolean logic in
`order to enter the most effective text, and content providers
`must accurately guess which keywords will be entered by
`viewers searching for their material content.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0008] For a better understanding of the present invention
`and to show how the same may be carried into effect,
`reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings
`in which:
`
`[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a screen display generated
`by one embodiment of an information display method;
`
`FIG.2 is a flow diagram illustrating the sequence
`[0010]
`of steps of an information display method;
`
`[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a screen display generated
`by one embodiment of an information display method;
`
`[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a screen display generated
`by one embodiment of an information display method;
`
`[0013]
`
`FIG.SA is a block diagram of a city server system;
`
`[0014] FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating further
`architectural elements of the system of FIG. 5A;
`
`[0015] FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of a process of estab-
`lishing a city server;
`
`[0016] FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of a process of browsing
`a virtual city;
`
`[0017] FIG. 6C is a diagram of a virtual city screen
`display generated by one embodiment of an information
`display method;
`
`[0018] FIG. 6D is a diagram of a virtual city grid screen
`display generated by one embodiment of an information
`display method;
`
`FIG.7 is a flow diagram of a process of renewing
`[0019]
`a transaction associated with a display window in a virtual
`city;
`
`[0020] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process of auctioning
`a right to display information in a display window of a
`virtual city;
`
`[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process of transfer-
`ring a right to display information in a display window of a
`virtual city;
`
`[0022] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example virtual
`space browsing system in which an embodiment may be
`used;
`
`[0023] FIG. 11 is a block diagram that illustrates a com-
`puter system upon which an embodimentof the invention
`may be implemented;
`
`[0024] FIG. 12 is a screen display diagram showing a
`three-dimensional browser view;
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`US 2005/0086612 Al
`
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`[0025] FIG. 13 is a screen display diagram showinga flat
`page view;
`
`[0026] FIG. 14 is a screen display diagram showing a
`view of a district of a virtual city;
`
`[0027] FIG. 15A is a screen display diagram showing a
`map view of a virtual city; FIG. 15B is a diagram of the
`screen display of FIG. 15A with a route displayed.
`
`[0028] FIG. 16 is a diagram of the screen display of FIG.
`15A showing a display of virtual display windowsthat
`match a selected category.
`
`[0029] FIG. 17 is a diagram of a screen display of an
`entrance to a virtual subwaystation.
`
`[0030] FIG. 18A is a diagram of a user interface prefer-
`ences panel showing a General tab.
`
`[0031] FIG. 18B is a diagram of the panel of FIG. 18A
`showing an Advanced tab.
`
`[0032] FIG. 18C is a diagram of the panel of FIG. 18A
`showing a Performance tab.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`In the following description, for the purposes of
`[0033]
`explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order
`to provide a thorough understanding of the present inven-
`tion. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art
`that the present invention may be practiced without these
`specific details. In other instances, well-known structures
`and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
`avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
`
`[0034] Embodiments are described herein according to the
`following outline:
`
`[0035]
`
`1.0 General Overview
`
`[0036]
`
`2.0 Example Implementation
`
`2.1 Overview of User Interface and Brows-
`[0037]
`ing Methods
`
`[0038]
`tecture
`
`2.2 Structural Overview; City Server Archi-
`
`2.3 Establishing City Content; Browsing
`[0039]
`City Content
`
`2.4 Renewals, Auctions and Transfers of
`[0040]
`Virtual Property
`
`2.5 Three-Dimensional
`(0041]
`Browser Architecture
`
`Virtual
`
`Space
`
`2.6 Graphical User Interface Implementa-
`[0042]
`tion Example
`
`[0043]
`
`3.0 Hardware Overview
`
`1.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW
`
`[0044] The invention is a method of organizing and dis-
`playing a large volume of material content in a mannerthat
`can be easily browsed and accurately navigated by a viewer
`without relying upon the viewer’s, nor the content provid-
`ers’, skills in language or logic.
`
`[0045] The material content may be information in any
`form, for example: data, numbers, text, still images such as
`photographs and graphics, moving images, virtual control
`panels and sound. It may be retrieved from a local computer
`disk or removable storage media or any form of network
`such as a local area network, a wireless network, a cell
`phone network, a wide area network, an internet, extranet or
`the Internet. The invention may, for example, be used for
`displaying material content on a computer screen and navi-
`gating through the type of material content typically found
`on the Internet.
`
`[0046] According to one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a method for organizing and presenting
`material content on a display to a viewer,
`the method
`comprising: mapping a plurality of display windows within
`a virtual three-dimensional space so that each display win-
`dow is allocated a specific and predetermined position in the
`space, rendering each display windowin three-dimensional
`perspective according to its position and angle relative to a
`viewer’s virtual position in the virtual space, cross-referenc-
`ing the position of each display window to a storage location
`of the material content that is designated to be rendered in
`that particular display windowat a particular time based on
`at least one predetermined condition, allocating at least part
`of the three-dimensional virtual space to display windows
`whose content is not chosen or determined by the viewer,
`selecting, retrieving and preparing material content for pos-
`sible subsequent display, according to a predetermined algo-
`rithm, selecting and rendering prepared material content
`within its cross-referenced display window,according to a
`predetermined algorithm, and providing a meansofvirtual
`navigation that changes the viewer’s position in the space in
`such a manneras to simulate movementthrough a plurality
`of predefined channels in the virtual space.
`
`[0047] A browser adapted to perform this method is also
`provided, as is apparatus programmed to operate the
`browser.
`
`[0048] According to a second aspect of the present inven-
`tion there is provided apparatus for organizing and present-
`ing material content on a display to a viewer, the apparatus
`comprising: a display, means for mapping a plurality of
`display windowswithin a three-dimensional virtual space so
`that each display window is allocated a specific and prede-
`termined position, means for rendering each display in
`three-dimensional perspective according to its position and
`angle relative to the viewer’s position in the virtual space,
`means for cross referencing the position of each display
`window to the network address or storage location of the
`material content that is designated to be rendered in that
`particular display window at a particular time based on at
`least one predetermined condition, means for selecting,
`retrieving and preparing material content for possible sub-
`sequent display according to a predetermined algorithm,
`meansfor selecting and rendering prepared material content
`within its cross-referenced display window according to a
`predetermined algorithm, and means for navigation con-
`trolled by the viewer that changes the viewer’s position in
`such a manneras to simulate movementthrough a plurality
`of predefined channels in the virtual space.
`
`[0049] According to a third aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a virtual space manager comprising a
`content configurator that includes the interface for the cre-
`
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`ation, maintenance and updating of the configuration which
`incorporates a plurality of cross references of content mate-
`rial to render in display windows.
`
`B can be positioned near to one another, so that the viewer
`of content A is likely also to see content B with a minimum
`of navigation.
`
`[0050] According to a fourth aspect of the invention the
`method of the first aspect may be adapted as a business
`method for example when used to supply in exchange for
`financial paymentthe right to specify the network address or
`storage location of material content that is to be rendered in
`a particular display window at a specified location at a
`particular time, and optionally enabling and recording the
`transfer of rights in exchange for financial payment, and/or
`providing an auction system inviting financial bids to the
`current holder of rights and awarding the nghts to the
`highest bidder provided predetermined conditions are met,
`and/or providing advertising opportunities in the three-
`dimensional virtual space in exchange for financial pay-
`ments.
`
`In addition, a viewer’s navigation into a restricted
`[0051]
`area of the three-dimensional virtual space is allowed for a
`particular period of time in exchangefor financial payment.
`Added value services may also be provided in exchange for
`financial payments, e.g. avatar companions, guides to navi-
`gation, the ability to navigate simultaneously and interac-
`tively with one or more other actual viewers, e-commerce
`support, and financial services including foreign exchange,
`credit and budget planning.
`
`[0052] The method of the invention may be used to enable
`any one or more of Internet browsing,virtual stores, virtual
`supermarkets, virtual shopping malls, virtual retail cata-
`logues, knowledge management, virtual exhibitions, medi-
`cal records management, virtual hospital patient manage-
`ment, virtual galleries, virtual museums, entertainment
`choices,
`tourist guides, TV guides, news digests,
`travel/
`hospitality option guides, virtual trade fairs and photolibrar-
`ies.
`
`[0053] According to a fifth aspect of the invention thereis
`provided a browserfor retrieving pages of material content
`over a computer network, comprising means for selecting
`material content for display according to a predetermined
`algorithm, means for cross-referencing the position of each
`display window to a storage location of selected material
`content based on at
`least one predetermined condition,
`means for allocating at least part of the three-dimensional
`virtual space to display windows whose content
`is not
`chosen or determined by the viewer, and meansforretriev-
`ing and rendering selected material content within its cross-
`referenced display window according to a predetermined
`algorithm.
`
`[0054] According to a sixth aspect of the invention there
`is provided a business method comprising offering to down-
`load a browser (according to the fifth aspect) to a plurality
`of potential viewers and offering the display windowsin the
`virtual space for rent to potential rights owners in the form
`of business and commercial enterprises.
`
`[0055] The present invention has advantages because it
`does not rely upon language and logic in browsing and
`navigating large volumesof content. Instead of relying upon
`language and logic,
`the invention makes it possible to
`indicate the relevance of content to a viewer by applying a
`rule of spatial proximity. Specifically, if content A is relevant
`to the viewer, and contentB is similarly relevant, then A and
`
`In order to apply the rule of spatial proximity to
`[0056]
`material content
`in displays,
`the present
`invention may
`utilize and uniquely combine three methods:
`
`(1) The creation of a three-dimensional virtual
`[0057]
`space containing many display windowsin fixed, specified
`positions,
`
`(2) The realistic topographical navigation of this
`[0058]
`world by viewers, which prevents them jumping instantly
`from one display window to any other, but instead forces
`them to travel smoothly along surface channels that expose
`the viewer to other display windows along the way, and
`
`(3) The operation of a self-organising allocation
`[0059]
`process in which content providers compete for the most
`beneficial display window positions for their content.
`
`[0060] Corresponding to these three methods are three
`forms of prior art which make clear the novelty of the
`present invention:
`
`three-dimensional
`(1) The creation of a virtual
`[0061]
`world of display in fixed, specified positions.
`
`[0062] A browser that also configures display windowsin
`three dimensionsis described in International Patent Appli-
`cation Publication Number WO 01/82295. This describes a
`browser that arranges HTMLpagesonthe back,top, bottom,
`left and right
`inside faces of a cube, with the viewer
`positioned just inside the nearest (sixth) face. Each of the
`five navigable inside faces can open into a further cube. The
`aim is to enable the viewer simultaneously to see several
`pages selected by the viewer. This could be especially useful
`where the content on the five pages is being compared or
`contrasted.
`
`[0063] The present invention differs from this disclosure
`in several respects: in particular because the display win-
`dowsin the present invention havefixed, specified positions
`in the space rather than being subject to manipulation by the
`viewer, and the content on display is predetermined by
`cross-references rather than by the viewer.
`
`(2) Therealistic topographical navigation forcing
`[0064]
`the viewerto travel smoothly along the surface and thus be
`exposed to display windows on the way.
`
`[0065] Another method for searching and presenting infor-
`mation in a geography-based configuration which also pro-
`vides realistic navigation is described in U.S. Patent Appli-
`cation Publication Number US 2002/0059207 Al. This
`method converts multiple aerial photos of an actual city into
`a three-dimensional stereoscopic aerial view, and allows the
`viewer to moveacrossthis view, simulating a ‘sight-seeing
`flight’, and to request information pertaining to his or her
`location. This is done by linking the latitude and longitude
`of the viewer’s position with ‘landmark databases’ compiled
`using conventional Internet searches based on keywords or
`other verbal expressions. Multiple viewers can interact and
`be tracked.
`
`[0066] The present invention differs from this disclosure
`in several
`respects:
`the content being presented in the
`present invention is organized by predetermined crossref-
`erences rather than by reference to their physical property
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`is directly displayed in
`locations, and material content
`windows forming part of the landscape being viewed rather
`than indirectly displayed as separate page data.
`[0067]
`(3) A self-organizing allocation process in which
`content providers compete for the most beneficial display
`window positions for their content.
`[0068] Another method comprising a self-organizing allo-
`cation process for the display of large volumes of material
`content is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,202. This method
`invites each primary content provider on the Internet to
`select one or more of thousands of verbal categories to
`describe their content and then allows other secondary
`content providers, for example advertisers,
`to supply rel-
`evant additional information to anyone viewing the primary
`categorized content. By allowing both primary and second-
`ary content providers to determine the categories they
`believe are most relevant to their content, the allocation of
`secondary information to interested viewers is optimized.
`The present invention differs from this disclosure in several
`respects, particularly since material content in the present
`invention is displayed in predetermined cross-referenced
`display windows. In embodiments of the present invention:
`content providers select relative positions in a virtual space
`to describe their content rather than use verbal categories;
`the exposure of viewers to relevant secondary content is
`achieved by virtue of the required realistic method of
`navigation,
`rather than it being imposed as a separate
`unrequested display of content; and due to the competitive
`nature of the self-organising process, the ‘description’ (i.e.
`the position in the virtual space) assigned to any particular
`material content reflects not just its meaning but also the
`value ascribed to that content by its provider.
`[0069] The present invention benefits both content pro-
`viders and content viewers:
`
`[0070] Content providers using embodimentsof the inven-
`tion have control over where and how their content is seen
`
`in the context of all content, rather than granting that control
`to third-party content categorizers or the rule-makers of
`search engine software. Content providers using embodi-
`ments of the invention also need not rely on verbal descrip-
`tions (e.g. domain names, meta-text, directory entries, or
`descriptive advertisements)to attract interested viewers, but
`instead can attract relevant viewersto their content by means
`of its contextual position and the quality of its visual
`treatment. Because the self-organizing is competitive, the
`prominence of displayed content is commensurate with the
`importance of the communication to the content provider.
`[0071] Viewers using embodiments of the invention can
`rely uponthe naturalistic, non-verbal experience of perceiv-
`ing the relatedness of two entities by their spatial proximity,
`rather than relying upon terms or names they happen to
`recall, or entering topics into search engines in accordance
`with Boolean logic. Viewers can also more rapidly decide
`the relevance of content by relying on quick visual impres-
`sions rather than reading lists of arbitrary text excerpts.
`Lastly, viewers using embodiments of the invention can
`experience the serendipity of discovering new, hitherto-
`unknowncontent, or contentthat its provider considers to be
`of interest to them, rather than being limited to contentthat
`the viewer has had to search for and therefore must already
`know about.
`
`[0072] The present invention enables the designation and
`fixing of the association of material content with other
`
`material content in a three-dimensional space containing
`display windowsthat are each rendered in three-dimensional
`perspective. In one embodimentof the present invention, the
`configuration of these display windows, each containing
`material content, is analogous to shop windowson a city
`street.
`
`To populate this system with content, content pro-
`[0073]
`viders may be invited to specify their material content to
`appear in a particular window which by virtual spatial
`proximity associates their material content with what they
`consider to be related material content in surrounding and
`nearby display windows. In this way, associated content,
`presented in display windows,will self-organize into virtual
`neighborhoodsofrelated content that the user can browse as
`one would the shop windowsalongstreets of a city. Having
`located a display window with contentof interestto the user,
`the user may without verbal or logical discernment easily
`find other content in nearby windowsthat its providers have
`decided would also be of interest to the user.
`
`In still another aspect, an embodiment provides a
`[0074]
`graphical user interface comprising a main pane, a web (or
`content) button area, an input area, a mini map area, and a
`3B button area is disclosed. The main pane selectively
`displays either (a) three-dimensional perspective view of a
`virtual three-dimensional space that comprises a plurality of
`virtual display windows, wherein each of the virtual display
`windowsis allocated a specific position in the space and is
`associated with a network location identifier of a content
`provider, or (b) a web page or interactive content view