Virtual cubic display template for search engine
OwnerW M Lucas Thomasinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A graphic rendering of searchable fields of a database, which rendering simulates a geometric solid having a plurality of facets. Each facet, which has its own thematic identity, can accept search inquiries and display results. Virtual manipulation of the geometric solid will expose a succeeding facet to direct view, which succeeding facet may reflect both data uncovered from a prior search inquiry and also related data which was not directly requested. The facets enable the user to organize data according to the various thematic identities of basic facts. The geometric solid assists in enabling the user to intuitively grasp how best to retrieve and interrelate data from the database. Subsidiary geometric solids more limited in content than the original geometric solid may be generated and displayed.
Claims8
A visual rendering of a virtual template for supporting a search, which said visual rendering is implementable on a data processing device, comprising:
- a first search screen comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a first results display window, a second search screen comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a second results display window, a third search screen comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a third results display window, and a fourth search screen comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a fourth results display window, wherein the first search screen, the second search screen, the third search screen, and the fourth search screen are arrayed such that they collectively form the image of a three dimensional geometric solid;
- a search facility enabling a user to enter a search term on any selected one of the user populatable entry spaces of the first search screen, of the second search screen, of the third search screen, and of the fourth search screen to conduct a search therefrom and to display search results on the results display window of that search screen from which the search originated;
- a selection facility operable to manipulate the image of the three dimensional geometric solid selectively so as to reveal, make an entry on, and read results displayed on any selected one of the first search screen, the second search screen, the third search screen, and the fourth search screen, while maintaining visual characteristics of the image of the three dimensional geometric solid such that the image of the three dimensional geometric solid remains recognizable as such;
- a first subsidiary search screen further comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a first results display window, a second subsidiary search screen comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a second results display window, a third subsidiary search screen comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a third results display window, and a fourth subsidiary search screen comprising at least one user populatable entry space and a fourth results display window, wherein the first subsidiary search screen, the second subsidiary search screen, the third subsidiary search screen, and the fourth subsidiary search screen are arrayed such that they collectively form the image of a three dimensional geometric solid;
- a first subsidiary selection facility which is operable to invoke and to visually present the first subsidiary three dimensional solid;
- and
- wherein the data contained within the first subsidiary three dimensional geometric solid is both limited to and is thematically related to subject matter of that one of the first search screen, the second search screen, and the third search screen which has been invoked to display the first subsidiary three dimensional solid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.