User interface and method to facilitate hierarchical specification of queries using an information taxonomy

A graphical user interface system, comprising

• means for interactively visualizing a plurality of dimensions that represent an information taxonomy for an associated information space/command space;
• means for interactively visualizing headings of respective dimensions;
• means for selecting at least one heading, the at least one heading derived from metadata associated with commands and data items in the information/command space;
• means for filtering data items in the information/command space based on the selected at least one heading;
• means for filtering commands based on metadata associated with the at least one heading, such that at least one of a results item corresponds to a specified task;
• and
• means for presenting results items based on the filtered data items that substantially satisfy the filtered data items.

A method to facilitate specification of queries or tasks, comprising:

• visualizing as a graphical user interface a plurality of dimensions that represent an information taxonomy for an associated information/command space, the dimensions including interactive headings derived from metadata associated with commands and data items in the information/command space;
• selecting at least one heading;
• filtering data items in at least a portion of the information/command space based on the selected at least one heading;
• generating a filter based on which the filtering is performed the filter including an information filter and a command filter;
• and
• presenting results items corresponding to data items that substantially satisfy the filtered data items.

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for:

• visualizing a plurality of dimensions that represent an interactive information taxonomy for an associated information/command space, the dimensions including headings derived from metadata associated with commands and data items in the information/command space;
• selecting at least one heading;
• filtering data items in the information/command space based on the selected at least one heading;
• generating a filter based on which the filtering is performed, the filter including an information filter and a command filter;
• and
• presenting results items based on the filtered data items that substantially satisfy the filtered data items.